Peregrine Falcons are celebrities of the raptor world. They’re the fastest animals on the planet, seen on nearly every continent, and managed an incredible recovery from near extinction. With a resume like that, they deserve their fame.
We’ve held off on putting out a Peregrine Falcon merchandise piece because you already have so many fantastic options to choose from. So when it finally came time to represent them in the store, we reached out to Emily Kelley of Land and She Studio, someone who we felt could offer a unique interpretation. If you’ve ever met Goose, our Peregrine Falcon Ambassador, you know that she is a strong lady who loves to talk, but she can also be quite goofy. In this shirt design, we opted for something a bit more colorful, playful, and imaginative to counterbalance the typical fearsome imagery associated with these falcons. Click here to purchase your own Peregrine Falcon Tee: https://hawkwatch-international.myshopify.com/products/peregrine-falcon-tee
What is your “spark bird,” aka the species that sparked your interest in birds?
Definitely the Barred Owl. I’ve drawn other birds before, but there is something about the Barred Owl and the curving of their feathers around the face, and the patterning on their wings that I find particularly intriguing. Growing up in a woodsy area, I would hear the hoots of owls in the middle of the night, and it always brought me a comforting feeling.
What inspires your work?
I very much enjoy cooking, walking in nature, and thrifting. These activities feed my creative mind, but are a slightly different outlet than the visual arts, which keeps me inspired. I love cooking a recipe, but almost never completely follow it! I let my intuition guide me to create something fun and something I’ll enjoy, just like my artwork.Â
What do you do outside of your art?
Nature! Having an environmental science teacher for a mom pretty much meant nature was at the forefront of a lot of things growing up. There were daily pop quizzes on which cloud structures were forming and their names. I’m a fan of the cumulonimbus clouds myself. My art is also an outlet to find some peace and calm, and is why I’ve chosen a particular color palette and theme for my art. I find solace in repeating patterns and warm hues with pops of saturated colors. I also think that, being a graphic designer, I lean towards more graphic images and shapes that give the art simplicity and areas that feel grounded.Â
Where can people find and support you?
You can find me on Instagram @landandshestudio and online at www.landandshe.com! You can find my work for sale on my website, and there is also a page to contact me to ask about commissions and inquire if I am available to take on new work.Â
This blog was written by Sammy Riccio, HWI’s Communications Manager. You can learn more about Sammy here.
