An Artist of Nature and Flight

John James Audubon

John James Audubon     Flamingo                         from google image

Roseate Spoonbill                                            google image

Audubon(click) was born in the French colony which is now Haiti.  His Mother was of Creole birth.  He was a French/American.  His family moved from the Islands to Philadelphia.  For a period of time Audubon lived and worked in New Orleans tutoring and painting. There is a park and zoo named after him.  His legacy of a lover of birds and naturalist live on in the New Orleans, as well as, Key West and Philadelphia. He love of nature and birds were paramount and his talent unparalleled as a naturalist.  

"From his earliest days, Audubon had an affinity for birds. "I felt an intimacy with them...bordering on frenzy [that] must accompany my steps through life." His father encouraged his interest in nature:

"he would point out the elegant movement of the birds, and the beauty and softness of their plumage. He called my attention to their show of pleasure or sense of danger, their perfect forms and splendid attire. He would speak of their departure and return with the seasons."  ^{from wikipedia} 

New Orleans is a city has been touched by many artists, writers, poets, musicians, and actors.  Edgar Degas also lived and painted in New Orleans.  He also had a Mother of Creole birth.  His time in New Orleans helped to re-orient himself as an artist...he found his way and went back to France to become a world famous artist and do the best work of his career.