ARTIST STATEMENT

I live on a few acres along the south fork of the Sangamon River in Illinois and have become a steward. I am restoring habitat, removing invasive species, and maintaining a burn schedule that helps native plants flourish. This work has made me aware of a calendar marked by birds’ arrivals and departures. Living among the plants, animals, weather, geology, river biology, and insects that use the river, I have become obsessed with the ecosystem. I live where coyotes, deer, and turkeys cross, giving me an intimate view of the natural world. As I’ve become more involved with their habitat, I see the interconnections between birds, plants, trees, and insects. I capture this in my paintings with fanciful plants native to the region and season. 

My earlier images depicted plants as symbols of human encroachment, but I now focus on them as sources of comfort and nourishment, celebrating the life that surrounds them. I record birds’ arrivals, departures, high counts, and rare sightings. I identify them by their calls, staying in sync with them. Each spring, I’m inspired to paint my favorites, like the woodcock, performing his courtship flight in March, or the yellow-bellied sapsucker, whose call is heard in April and September. My paintings document these experiences and their effect on me.

Kevin Veara is a passionate painter whose lifelong affinity for birds has shaped his artistic journey. A fascination sparked by a childhood bird book grew into a lifelong commitment to documenting and celebrating the species he encounters. His work explores the delicate balance between nature and the environment, focusing on the interplay between birds, plants, and their habitats. Living on the South Fork of the Sangamon River in Illinois, Kevin is both an artist and a steward of the land. He actively restores native habitats, tracks the rhythms of local bird populations, and draws inspiration from the vibrant ecosystems around him. His paintings reflect this connection, weaving native plants and trees into landscapes that sustain his feathered subjects.

Kevin’s work has been featured in prestigious collections, including the Illinois State Museum and Illinois Audubon Society, and his exhibitions include “Exult” at the Illinois State Museum’s Dickson Mounds. His paintings offer viewers a moment of pause, inviting them to reconnect with the wonder and fragility of the natural world.