Bohemian Waxwing and Fox Sparrow by ESPY
Location: 511 West 182nd Street, New York, NY 10033
Painted: 10/17/2020
About the Birds: Many birders in the United States know the Bohemian Waxwing and Fox Sparrow as winter visitors only. Both spend summers predominantly in Canada and Alaska, the Bohemian Waxwing (so named for its nomadic, “carefree” lifestyle) nesting high in the boreal forest and the Fox Sparrow (a nod to the foxy red color of some populations) low to the ground. Both are projected to be in dire straits by 2080 if global warming continues apace. The Bohemian Waxwing may lose 95 percent of its summer range and 81 percent of its range in winter. The Fox Sparrow may lose 72 percent of its summer range (including virtually all of that sprinkled through the U.S. West) and 62 percent of its winter range, possibly shifting it from a snowbird of North Carolina to a seasonal visitor of Boston.
About the Artist: Espy dpt/znc is a street artist turned fine artist. studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, and he's lived and worked in Los Angeles since 2006. Espy is also a community activist in the Koreatown neighborhood of L.A., which he calls home, and has curated over 200 legal walls as part of the , turning the streets into an outdoor gallery. He is also the co-founder and art director of the Amuse4autism Foundation. Espy’s recent work consists of urban contemporary, photo-realistic animal portraits, geometric designs, and graffiti elements, in a blend of layered interactions with various art forms, creating a journey through the years of his growth and creativity with every painting.