Artist Statement Extinction rates of animals are currently accelerating because of human actions. My work sheds light on the issues animals are facing as consequences of climate change, specifically focusing on the challenges they encounter due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and destruction. This displacement is represented by a lack of a formal “scene”, as in many of my pieces the animals could be existing anywhere. This symbolizes the animals being removed from their native habitats and forced into unfamiliar ones. Man-made elements, such as rope, jewelry, daggers, and arrows are used as symbols to make viewers aware of their lack of empathy for animals. These elements interact with the endangered or extinct animals in negative ways, impaling, constricting, or encumbering them. I paint the animals with empty, white eyes to allude to the animals being viewed by people as objects instead of living things. The illustrations of animal parts being used as tools and decorations represent humans valuing what they can make from an animal more than the animal itself. My color palette, usually consisting of neutrals and muted blues and oranges, along with the flat planes of color, are influenced by art movements like Art Nouveau and Ukiyo-e. One of my biggest influences, tattoo art, along with my graphic design background, inspires me to create art that combines classical mediums like painting with modern styles like those used in digital art. This style shows the consequences of human actions on the animals depicted in hopes that people will care more and as a result do more for them.