BCR 149: Michael DiGiorgio, Artist
Michael DiGiorgio is a nationally recognized artist who is currently living in Madison, CT. Mike’s painting and drawings have appeared in a variety of nature books and journals, such as: Birds of Brazil vol. 1&2, birds of Honduras, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Breeding Bird Atlas of CT, New York State Breeding Bird Atlas, Audubon Field Guide to Birds/ Eastern and Western region, and The Narrow Edgeby Deborah Cramer. From 2007 to 2012, Mike was contracted by Houghton Mifflin to completely revise the artwork for the new edition of Peterson Field Guide to the Birds.
Having painted birds since the age of five, Michael began to study bird painting from the late Don Eckelberry in 1979. Under Don’s critical eye, Michael developed his style emphasizing the character of the bird as well as its relationship to the environment. Working outdoors has provided him with knowledge of natural light, atmosphere, and design.
Committed to painting from life, Mike has traveled extensively to create field sketches of bird, plants, and habitat from South America, Central America, the West Indies, Trinidad, and the Outer Islands of Britain. In addition, his numerous trips to the western United States and national parks have allowed Mike to record a full range of American birdlife.
Mike won the first ever Eckelberry endowment award from the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for recognition of his Bird Illustration work. This award was given in memory of Don Eckelberry. Mike’s paintings have been exhibited at the Roger tory Peterson Institute, Jamestown, N.Y.; The Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT; Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI; and The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, PA. and The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology in Ithaca, N.Y. Mike is currently illustrating plates for Birds of South America vol.3 with Robert Ridgley and Guy Tudor.
Show Notes:
- Don Eckelberry school of Kodachrome.
- What artists have had the most impact on the development of your unique artistic style.
- fine art exhibits, which ones stand out as memorable or the most important?
- the difference between art and illustration, and where do field sketches fit in?
- What are you preferred mediums
- Copyright is vital to your future income. Please share you thoughts on this.
- Your dream commission or where in the world do you deeply desire to visit to create art?
Mentioned In This Episode:
NOTE: Thanks to Michael for the wonderful Banjo music he create and wrote on intro of Nightjar an outro recorded live in the woods called October Owl. All Painting, Photos & two Audio Banjo Mp3’s in this show are solely used for this specific BirdCallsRadio™ & Podcast show #BCR 149: Michael DiGiorgio and article. Courtsey of ©Michael DiGiorgio, All Rights Reserved. Paintings Audio Banjo Mp3’s and Photo may not be used in any form without written permission. Please respect the wishes of Michael DiGiorgio.
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