I have liked birds since boyhood. One of my first outdoor memories was “rescuing” a fledgling Blue Jay in my backyard. (Had my parents been bird people, they would have told me to leave it alone. Fortunately, it ended up with a rehabber!).
I learned to love birds at the age of 9 when I first read Jean Craighead George’s My Side of the Mountain. Those of you who have also been enchanted by this magical work of fiction will recognize Frightful, the fierce and faithful Peregrine Falcon who accompanies young Sam in his wild search for independence in the Catskill Mountains. This book kindled within me a naturalist spirit that has yet to be snuffed out by my frequent urban surroundings, and it gave me a special fondness for the Peregrine Falcon. In fact, it was the first bird I drew for Colorflock.
Some of my best times are those when I’m alone in wooded solitude. And while I haven’t yet convinced my wife to ensconce our family in the forested foothills of America’s great mountain ranges, I continually find solace in moments when it’s just me and the birds. Like Sam, I have been shaped by their companionship.
Colorflock began as a series of drawings with no aspiration to become merchandise. I draw the birds as I see them in my memory: bright, bold, and beautiful. I hope to capture the essence of each bird, respecting its form and behavior while emphasizing the defining colors of its plumage.
Thank you for supporting Colorflock, and by extension, the preservation and conservation of North America’s incredible birds. And welcome to the flock ;)
Sincerely,
Cameron,
Founder (and chief artist) at Colorflock