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Big Cats and Indigenous Cultures – Art by Nathan Miller

Big Cat Art with a Message of Coexistence

As the world continues to change, as nations develop and communities expand, we witness the loss of ecosystems and the evolution of culture. A recent United Nations Study found that 4 out of 10 indigenous languages are threatened with extinction. Climate change has threatened the way of life for many pastoral communities. And, of course, the wild species that share this planet with us are disappearing at an alarming rate. According to the World Wildlife Fund’s 2018 Living Planet report, since 1970, wild animals have experienced, on average, a 60 percent decline in their populations. Continue reading “Big Cats and Indigenous Cultures – Art by Nathan Miller”

The Figurative Art and Portrait Paintings of Nathan Miller

St. Pete Portrait Artist

Over two years ago I moved to St. Petersburg, Florida from Nosara, Costa Rica. Nosara is where my professional journey in art began back in 2012. After five years, though, I would find myself returning to my home state of Florida to join the artistic community of St. Pete, just across the bridge from Tampa, my home town. Since making St. Pete home, I’ve been focused on developing a new body of work which includes paintings of wildlife and people. But for the purpose of this blog, I’d like to introduce myself to the community as a St. Pete portrait artist and figurative artist. Continue reading “The Figurative Art and Portrait Paintings of Nathan Miller”

An Artist’s Visual Fight to Save Black Bears

Inspiration

Most of my art is inspired by nature and our connection with the natural world. And while most of my work depicts this theme, some of it attempts to address the bigger topic of what we’re losing. While we, as humans, encroach upon the natural ecosystem, we threaten so many of the species that were there before us. The most intelligent of these species on land in North America, according to many wildlife biologists, are bears, the most common of which is the black bear.

314 black bears were just killed in New Jersey. Hunts like this take place around the country every year, and it’s always a heart-sinking time for those who care about these unique, timid, intelligent and beautiful animals. Continue reading “An Artist’s Visual Fight to Save Black Bears”

Portrait Painter Joins the St. Pete Art Scene

Emerging from the Jungle

After five years of living in a small town in Costa Rica, and after spending a few months in Tampa, my home town, I am now ready to join the St. Pete art community. I’ve been interested in St. Petersburg ever since I first learned of the dynamic art scene that continues to grow there. And, while much of my work depicts Costa Rican wildlife, I am expecting my focus to shift to portrait painting. And, honestly, I think there is a lot of room for a portrait painter in the Tampa Bay area. Continue reading “Portrait Painter Joins the St. Pete Art Scene”

Wildlife and Portraiture – Costa Rica to Tampa, Florida

Five Years in Costa Rica

Nosara, Costa Rica, is where I began my journey as a professional artist and, after nearly five years of focusing on my art, I decided to take what I learned in the small beach town of Nosara, Costa Rica, to Tampa, Florida, in the United States. During the last couple years, even though I was living in Costa Rica, I noticed that more people from the United States were commissioning me to be a portrait painter for them. Continue reading “Wildlife and Portraiture – Costa Rica to Tampa, Florida”

The Circle of Life

A Healthy Ecosystem 

A lot of Costa Rican art depicts wildlife. It’s hard for an artist not to be inspired by the beauty of tropical species. It’s even more inspiring to see them in their natural habitat. They are emotional beings clothed in a natural tapestry of color, patterns, and designs. The animals depicted in this piece are among the most celebrated species in Costa Rica.
Continue reading “The Circle of Life”

Celebrating Oneness Through Art

A Baha’i Perspective

Growing up as a member of the Baha’i Faith, I learned to appreciate the beauty in diversity, the power of cultural expression, and the common link that unites all of us. As a child and adolescent, I was extremely lucky to have had the opportunity to travel. I traveled to countries far from home often enough and for periods long enough that I began to see the entire planet as my home. Continue reading “Celebrating Oneness Through Art”

Reflection – We Must Save the Florida Black Bears

The Florida Black Bear Hunt

Reflection, a painting depicting the Florida Black Bear and its disappearing habitat, was commissioned by Adam Sugalski, founder of One Protest. Adam is the man leading the fight against the proposed Florida Black Bear Hunt. Adam and I met through Facebook a year ago when we got the news that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was considering open season on a species that, for the first time in twenty years, was no longer considered endangered. Continue reading “Reflection – We Must Save the Florida Black Bears”

A Glimpse into the Life of Nosara, Costa Rica

After three years of living in Nosara, Costa Rica, I’d like to share a selection of the photos that I have taken. I’d like to share a little bit about the world that inspires my art.

As an artist, I am drawn to beauty and Nosara has plenty. There are beautiful plants and animals, along with beautiful relationships that I love to capture on camera. Continue reading “A Glimpse into the Life of Nosara, Costa Rica”