Alex Warnick
Alex Warnick | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alex Clark Warnick September 1987 (age 38) New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | B.A. Integrated Studio Art, Brigham Young University–Idaho |
| Known for | Painting, Scientific illustration, Ornithology |
| Movement | Contemporary Natural History Art |
| Awards | Donald and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment (2016) |
| Website | alexwarnick |
Alex Clark Warnick (born September 1987) is an American naturalist and scientific illustrator, specializing in avifauna (birds), and a painter.[1] She describes herself as a "natural history artist" and aims to use her artwork to foster appreciation and conservation action for the natural world, stating that she hopes her work will "introduce many others to the significance and beauty of birds so that birds can benefit the lives of people, and in turn, people can benefit the lives of birds."
Early life and education
[edit]Warnick grew up in Indiana and began painting and studying birds at a young age. She has said: "Birds have always been my mild obsession. In 5th grade, I delivered my career project on ornithology sitting in a giant nest I'd built from willow sticks. I held a pair of binoculars in my sixth grade yearbook picture."[2]
She graduated with a degree in Integrated Studio Art from Brigham Young University–Idaho.[3]
Career
[edit]Warnick's work is characterized by the integration of scientific accuracy with an aesthetic inspired by historical natural history artists. Her signature style is defined by illustrating "all things crested, spotted, and gilded," a reference to terms found in bird nomenclature. She works in various media including acrylic, watercolor, gouache, and oil. Her illustrations have been published on the covers of specialist ornithological magazines, including Bird Watcher's Digest and the Birder's Guide (published by the American Birding Association).
Her paintings have been featured in numerous art shows, exhibits, and art websites.[4][5][6]
A profile in Audubon described her as "the Indiana-based artist (who was born in the same town as Roger Tory Peterson) [who] melds vintage styles drawn from Mark Catesby and Jacques Barraband with modern precision, crafting each project around hours of sketching outdoors."[7][8]
She frequently exhibits alongside her identical twin sister, Shae Warnick, who is also an established artist and naturalist. Warnick conducts public workshops, hosted by groups such as Artists for Climate Awareness and The Nature Artists Guild.
Major commissions and conservation projects
[edit]In 2016, Warnick was awarded the Donald and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment from the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, funding research on the island of Hispaniola to illustrate 31 endemic bird species.[9][10]
She served as the Natural History Artist for the book Alas & Colores (Wings & Colors), published by INICIA, which documents Hispaniola's endemic birds with text from biologists and her illustrations.[11][12]
In 2019, Warnick collaborated with the Indiana Arts Commission and the Indiana State Museum to create the traveling exhibit The Artist-Naturalist, celebrating the work and legacy of Indiana author and naturalist Gene Stratton-Porter. She created a series of fifteen watercolors, each inspired by Porter's writings, which were exhibited at the Limberlost State Historic Site and the Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site from June to December 2019.[13]
She has also collaborated with BirdsCaribbean, lending her artwork for use on conference merchandise to support regional conservation efforts.
Roger Tory Peterson Institute Residency
[edit]In 2023, Warnick was selected as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute (RTPI). Concurrent with the residency, RTPI hosted the solo exhibition Alex Warnick: The Art of Observation, which ran from March 18 to June 11, 2023.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Angell, Bryony. "Birds in Art: Alex and Shae Warnick", Bryony Angell, 27 March 2016. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Infanger, Garrick. "Alex Warnick: Crested, Spotted, and Gilded", The Krakens, 15 January 2016. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Marine, Sophie Catalina. "DPW Spotlight Interview: Alex Warnick", Daily Paint Works, 18 June 2015. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Jepsen, Brittany Watson. "How to make a gallery wall", The House That Lars Built, 1 February 2016. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ "Opening Reception: Hinterlands", PortsmouthNH.com, April 2018. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ "Opening Reception with Alex Warnick and Lily Seika Jones", Boston.com, 2019. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Angell, Bryony. "How to Go From Watching Birds to Drawing Them", Audubon, 26 July 2017. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Facer, Brooke. "The beginning and the end of 'The Krakens' through the eyes of its creator", Deseret News, 24 April 2017. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ "Recipients of the Don and Virginia Eckelberry Endowment", Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, 2017. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Angell, Bryony. "A glimpse into the world of scientific illustration", Seattle Audubon, May 2017. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ Vicini, Felipe. "INICIA launches new Institutional Book: Alas & Colores", Felipe-Vicini.com, 13 December 2018. Retrieved on 10 March 2020.
- ^ "Aves de La Española volarán a través de la exposición Alas & Colores", Diario Libre, 6 January 2020. Retrieved on 2 April 2021.
- ^ "New traveling exhibition 'The Artist-Naturalist' coming to Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site", Indiana State Museum, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ "Alex Warnick: The Art of Observation", Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2025.