Earlier in the year I was commissioned by US Coast Guard veteran, Craig Gordnier to create a special painting for his incredible home. I took this opportunity right away. Not only do I love painting bluebirds but I also love the idea that it will be hung on a school bus. It’s no ordinary 1999 BlueBird school bus, Craig transformed it into a luxurious tiny home on wheels so that he can, “go out and live the most fulfilling life I possibly can.”

The watercolor painting is our spin on Bob Marley’s song, Three Little Birds. We included three little bluebirds to represent his bus and the three leaves for his love of Bob Marley. I was able to manifest his ideas onto paper while I was heading cross country to our new home. I am incredbly joyful and over the moon that it is featured on the Rachael Ray Show 

I’m am truly unbelievably thankful for #_justdoingmything_ for letting me create a meaningful piece of artwork specifically for his home on wheels. Not only does he inspire us to create the lives that we want but also to live a simpler life with less consumption to be in harmony with nature:
“Dream Bigger. Never stop. Never let anyone try to stop you, put you down or doubt you. Turn to yourself and build a trusting and loving relationship with the person who will carry these dreams out. Trust yourself first, follow the positive voice in your heart. If you aren’t living in an environment that is encouraging and building, exploring, planning and talking about your dreams, leave. Do everything you have to do to achieve it. I believe in you and the only thing I live to see is the look on people’s faces when they talk about the things they love, dream of & believe in ” -Craig

The Blue-throated Macaws are Critically Endangered according to BirdLife. Popolation size is about 400 in the wild. Threats to these beautiful birds include illegal pet trade and loss of habitat. They are considered the rarest species of macaw in the world. They are located in Bolivia and Trinidad. Macaws are often called barba azul in Spanish, meaning “blue beard,” because of the vibrant blue covering their throats.

Thankfully there are conservation organizations such as Association Armoniato to preserve the habitat in Bolivia which not only protects the blue-throated macaw, but also neighboring species like jaguars, pumas and maned wolves.

This painting is a tribute to the blue-throated macaw.

I will be submitting the original painting of the blue-throated macaw to the Sketch For Survival fundraiser art competition set up by @explorersagainstextinction

Explorers Against Extinction is a wildlife conservation trust whose primary aim is to raise awareness about the threats facing wildlife and their habitats and raising funds to help protect them
All artwork submitted to the SFS fundraiser is to be auctioned off with the money raised going towards the various nominated Explorers Against Extinction conservation projects. It’s a wonderful opportinity so I hope this painting will be selected to be exibited in a London gallery to raise funds for conservation. Only 100 artworks are selected. If it is not selected, a tree will be planted for every sungle submission.

We can also do our part at home by using sustainably-sourced paper products since the main threat facing blue-throated macas are habital loss. Learn more at Association Armonia’s website.

Shop Prints of the original painting here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1018505546/macaw-watercolor-painting-parrot?ref=shop_home_active_1

A portion of proceeds are donated to conservation organizations and Non Profit organizations every year; Association Armonia, Global Conservation Force, Amy’s Art Cart program at Children’s Hospital,..