Chasing Ghosts - The Extinct Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

The Ivory-billed Woodpecker is Probably Extinct 

It's listed critically endangered by the IUCN. The last confirmed sighting was in Louisiana in 1944. The American Birding Association lists it as definitely or probably extinct. The ivory-billed woodpecker is one of the largest woodpecker species. It was native to Southeastern United States, but disappeared due to heavy logging and eventual destruction of its habitat and hunting. Ironically, in the 1920's, when the population was already thought to be extinct, a pair of ivory-billed woodpeckers were spotted in Florida only to be shot for specimens.

Many ornithologists and amateur birders have embarked on the quest to find evidence of the bird's survival. To date, no reports have been substantiated.

This painting is about the quest to find the "Ghost Bird". It's set in a collective unconscious dream state where the bird is healthy and flying but not free. As a human race, we've bulldozed our way into modernity without much thought to its impact on our surroundings. What is considered progress by some is the actual destruction for others. We're doomed to repeat this unless as a collective, we understand we're all connected. Preserving nature and it's inhabitants by definition means we preserve ourselves. 

Original painting is available.

Chasing Ghosts - The Extinct Ivory-Billed Woodpecker | 30 x 40 inches | Oil on canvas