Stories Behind The Art

Pencil artist, J. B. Sullivan shares his childhood dog stories, one of the influences of his drawings of dogs. [...]

Through the generations our relationship with birds has changed. Birding is a hobby second only to gardening in popularity. We still watch birds. But like the price of an Audubon print they have flown beyond our reach. As human population grows past 9 billion, bird populations are struggling to adapt to an urban environment. As we have learned to fuel our wings with aviation gas the biological beat of wings pounds a slow cadence in a hurry up world. We tweet on our iPhone without the music of feathered friends to keep us company. [...]

These winter scenes cause me to think of the many art works Jay has created with animals and snow. Following are some of my favorites. [...]

As I was walking through the Salida Art Festival, I was drawn to a booth after seeing a charcoal sketch that was hanging up. The picture was of a wolf. I asked where the inspiration for this beautiful picture had come from. I was told it was a wolf at The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide, Colorado. Kaye and Jay Sullivan asked if I knew the wolf. I said yes as I have been a volunteer (and board member) at the center for 10 years and that the wolf was named Wakanda.   It was at this time that I told [...]

Can you think like a Greater Sage Grouse? Perhaps it sounds funny to think that to create effective positive change we need to consider the question, “What would a Greater Sage Grouse do if a Greater Sage-Grouse could?" [...]

As we strolled along I was adopted by this squirrel. This little guy was running the rocks right at my eye level alongside. With camera in my hand he was too hard to resist. [...]

The snow is deep. It is a hard time of year to make a living. It is cold. [...]

The buffalo is returning from as few as 35 animals in the southern herd to over 200,000 today. Today's story is not one of how we lost the bison, but how we have worked together to renew the herds. United in good purpose, we will save all living things and ourselves. I draw animals because they are a symbol of what we want to be. They are a totem, a symbol, individually and collectively of good things. [...]

When the season's new babes were released where we could see them, we neighbors raced over to watch and photograph just like proud parents everywhere [...]

When the right karma comes along and the just right person wants to buy the art, the ultimate convergence of sharing and selling occurs. We are grateful that our buyers love the art just like we do. Then we, buyers and sellers, all feel the ultimate joy, that the animals have moved on to a “good home.” [...]

Our national parks are a unique American heritage for us to honor, protect, and pass on to the next generations. [...]

It’s fair to say that what I love to draw most is whatever subject is in my head at the time I’m ready to start a new drawing. Perhaps I just saw a beautiful Red Tailed Hawk who caught my eye. Or I have in mind an especially unique elk sighting from a recent hike. At any given time, 4-5 potential subjects are vying to become the next piece of art.   But when it comes to drawing other people’s requests or providing a gift, I always enjoy drawing dogs.  Of course, it is best when I’ve met these dogs and can get [...]

We had all become acculturated to the fact that if you really wanted to see the best of the Grand Tetons, you had to be in the back country and off the roads. We were all eager to go where the going got tough and the tough got going. [...]

J. B. Sullivan, my husband, gets virtually immersed in his art when he draws buffalo or bison if you prefer the correct term. [...]

What to our wondering eyes appeared alongside the highway, OUTSIDE the park, but a very black bear! [...]

Black Magic has always been one of the favorite ranch horses and one of my favorites to draw. This poem tells the story of my first meeting with Black. [...]

The outstanding event of the day was watching the antelope race across the fields and leap ... no slide! [...]

In summer, I plan to be out there "seeing my future drawings." [...]

Support your local library and be sure to take time to enjoy their art exhibits! [...]

We were passing Sleepy Cat when I saw a big Golden Eagle dining on a dead doe at the Road Kill Café. [...]

When J.B. gets around to drawing this eagle, it will remind us of a winter drive along the White River on January 15, 2011. It won't be just any eagle ... but our very special and treasured eagle sighting. [...]

Some things trigger memories. Memories of places that echo time spent there. I was pacing the bison herd on the eastern fringes of the Tetons National Park last summer. This bull was seemingly having a bad day. He was snorting and pawing the ground, just kicking up the dust. The little bison calf just didn’t care. He walked within a few feet of the bull nonchalantly pausing to scratch his ear. The bull's hooves clattered against the rocks as he made the river crossing. Just before he crossed the river he stopped to take a drink. As soon as he took a couple of big gulps of water his [...]

The challenge with small is that everything has to be better. [...]

I wonder what this weasel thought of me! [...]

This drawing will keep my memories warm in winter. [...]

I couldn't wait to get back to my studio and do some drawings of osprey in flight. It was awesome watching them soar! [...]

Have you ever seen an eagle drawing? I have. [...]

Some of my favorite commissions aren't of people at all ... they feature dogs. [...]

Art for Valentine's Day - Red Crowned Cranes drawing and story. [...]

I couldn't resist going over to say hello. He came over to me with his typicl request for sratches in all his favorite places. We had a great hour talking about how things were going. Horses are great listeners. [...]

When he was done, he turned to my sister and said, “This one is Tungundai. It means Guardian of Night Wind. When she grows up she will have a colt. She will save this colt from mortal danger. [...]