Florida Nature Art, Big Bald Cypress

The latest addition to the Florida Wild Art collection is a Gíclee on 3 mm aluminum, 27" x 36", matte finish.

The study of cypress colors was a fascinating learning experience for me during the creation of this illustration.  Bald cypress, Taxodium distichum  has a very unique color and hue palette of rich earth tones.

Some of these larger bald cypress here in Florida and hundreds if not thousands of years old.  Many were already growing when Christopher Columbus set foot in the Americas.

Osprey, one of the best fishing and hunting raptors of all birds often nests in the top of older bald cypress.

This is a beautiful, one of a kind work of art.  One edition print only, signed by Kevin.

Inquiries to kssonger@gmail.com

Florida Nature Art, Native Shrub and Tree Mandala Square

Native shrubs and trees are amazing as are the different ecosystems these plants make their home within.

Nature Art, Native Shrub-Tree Mandala by Kevin Shea, Gíclee on Aluminum Plate, limited signed edition

My Florida Native Shrub-Tree Mandala Square is comprised of three separate and unique mandala triads; one for uplands, one for wetlands and one for the seashore.

Assembled together they represent the nine trees and shrubs I've grown to love and adore here in Florida and together create the Native Shrub-Tree Mandala Square.

The upland mandala triad is illustrated with beautyberry, Callicarpa americana; saw palmetto, Serenoa repens; and winged sumac, Rhus copallina (aka lemonade bush) all framed with a coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens vine.

Native shrub Upland Mandala by Kevin Shea, Gíclee on Aluminum Plate, limited signed edition

Wetlands are represented by bald cypress, Taxodium distichum; red maple, Acer rubrum; and wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera enclosed in Carolina jessamine vineage.

Native shrub Wetland Mandala by Kevin Shea, Gíclee on Aluminum Plate, limited signed edition

Seashore mandala is created using sea grapes, Coccoloba uvifera; dune daisy, Helianthus debilis; and coral bean, Erythrina herbacea embraced by railroad vine, Ipomia pes-caprae.

Native shrub Seashore Mandala by Kevin Shea, Gíclee on Aluminum Plate, limited signed edition

Native plants are now being recommended and specified by both local and state governments for landscape projects, such as FDOT's wildflower and right-of-way native plant programs as well as used by private developers for commercial projects.  Of course, native plants are very often found in residential landscapes.

As word spreads of the beauty and sustainability characteristics of native shrubs, trees and wildflowers usage within the urban and created landscapes hopefully will continue to proliferate.

Florida's wilderness is filled with amazing texture, color, and importance to all life.

Florida's native plants are truly a wonder worth learning of and preserving.

Gíclee on aluminum plate, high gloss, limited editions, signed by Kevin.

Inquiries to kssonger@gmail.com.