Read this Wildlife Art Journal article

James Coe obviously is not an ordinary avian artist nor are members of the artistic brood with whom he now shares company.  One could almost describe Coe’s work as effusing ethereal elegance.

While Coe is highly credentialed—and decorated— in the naturalistic portrayal of birds, as attested by his contributions to several lovely field guides, that isn’t the reason why Coe in 2011 has been named a Master Artist by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.

“There really is no easy answer to the question of why because the “criteria” for selecting a Master Artist are varied and multi-faceted,”  says Woodson Director Kathy Foley. “Each year, we – staff and museum board members with input from artists previously honored as masters – consider the qualities, accomplishments, artistic finesse, creativity, and more that differentiate a long list of worthy artists.”

Coe rose to the top of the list among several distinguished candidates based upon the fact that he has demonstrated his talent across a number of different fronts. “Jim’s plein air paintings are remarkable for many reasons, including deft handling of landscape, atmosphere, and mood, and also his skillful integration of birdlife,”  Foley explains.  “Another distinguishing quality of Jim’s work draws on his bi-part training as both an ornithologist/naturalist and an artist. It’s fascinating to consider the differences in his tightly painted field guide work – and the high esteem in which his Eastern Field Guide work is held – and his current plein air work.”

“I love...