I was selected by the North Coast Otters Public Arts Initiative in Humboldt County to paint one out of 100 otter statues. Completed in 2020, Cali and the Colorful Carnivores was on display for a year and then auctioned to help support student research with community-based watershed projects.

Carnivores are often viewed in a negative light. However, they are extremely important for the ecosystems they inhabit and to us. They prevent overpopulation, resource loss, and the spread of disease by keeping prey populations in check. A combination of art and ecology can spark interest in protecting and respecting these incredible species, many of whom are threatened by habitat loss. I’m hoping that painting these animals in bright and happy colors may help change people’s perception of carnivores for the better. Cali and the Colorful Carnivores features carnivorous species, who share their home with the North Coast River Otter, including the Puma, Turkey Vulture, Fisher, California Pitcher Plant, and many more. I hope you see these carnivores not as monsters but as the beautiful and important creatures they are.