“Reddish Egret” is based on a photograph by my husband of this endangered egret in its natural habitat in Florida. “The reddish egret is the rarest egret species found in North America…” designated threatened “by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.”

Many birds are challenged by loss of habitat from natural disasters as well as climate change and commercial
development. My art honors these birds through hand-cut, sculpted, layered papers that offer a playful and colorful representation of their forms and feathers. Rare and endangered birds are especially vulnerable, and I hope my art draws attention to their plight and demonstrates hope for their survival. As Emily Dickinson wrote: “Hope is the thing with feathers.”