“Sister Wendy Beckett has transformed public appreciation of art through her astonishing knowledge, insight and passion for painting and painters.” This set includes Sister Wendy's Story of Painting, Sister Wendy's Odyssey, and Sister Wendy's Grand Tour. Simultaneously delightful and scholarly--this is a must have for anyone interested in art history.
Friday, April 27, 2018 at 8:00AM 
John James Audubon painted 435 watercolors of birds in his lifetime. Born on the Caribbean island of Santo Domingo in 1784, Audubon moved to the United States in 1802, where he fell in love with birds and made it his life’s work to paint a picture of every species of bird in America.
Thursday, March 14, 2013 at 11:05AM 
John James Audubon - Virginian Partridge (Northern Bobwhite) under attack by a young red-shouldered hawk. Plate 76 from Birds of America by John James Audubon (Havell Edition). Restored 2008 by RestoredPrints.com. (click photo for larger image)
John James Audubon - American Stork - 1827-28 - Watercolour, 60 x 47 cm - National Audubon Society, New York (click photo for larger image)West Indian born John James Audubon (1785-1851) was an American naturalist and traveller, who studied in Paris under the great Neoclassical painter, Jacques-Louis David, before going to America in 1803.
Audubon’s most famous works are the illustrations for The Birds of America (1827-38), the original drawings for which are in New York (Historical Society), and The Quadrupeds of North America (1845-48). There are oils and watercolors also held in the collection of Liverpool University.
Audubon's influence on ornithology and natural history was far reaching. Nearly all later ornithological works were inspired by his artistry and high standards--although we would not approve of some of his practices today. Birds of America is still regarded a a premiere example of book art. Audubon discovered twenty-five new species and twelve new subspecies.