The Wildlife Art Ventures of Tom Yacovella
by Tom Yacovella
8.5" x 11" - 48 pages - 30 Paintings and Sculpture
Paper - $29.95 — ISBN-978-0-692-00243-8
Yacovella's paintings treat the viewer to real wildlife dramas he has observed in the field. His detailed illustrations tell stories of the subjects' moods and postures, ranging from predator and prey behavior, to the intimate moments of courting and parenting. Each image is accompanied by his firsthand account of the rare moment in nature he has witnessed and depicted on canvas.
Also featured is a section on Yacovella's extraordinary sculpture, "Tribute to the Whitetail," the full-size, lifelike figure of a whitetail buck he crafted from over 300 naturally shed antlers.
The first part of the book traces the events of Yacovella's life that led him from an orphanage in Utica, to success in the advertising world, to ultimately realizing his dream of becoming a full-time wildlife artist.
The book's subtitle, "Keep Looking for a Bluebird," references Yacovella's watercolor of the same name that has won four major international art awards. "It also reflects my hope that the publication will inspire those who read it," Yacovella explains.
"Besides learning things about nature and animal behavior that perhaps they didn't know, I hope readers will be uplifted by the book's underlying message that no matter how the odds might seem to be stacked against you, by persevering and staying focused you can achieve your goal."
"I have seen no book remotely
like Tom Yacovella’s, which
offers three special pleasures: startlingly detailed visual representations of wildlife
in action; an insider’s
account of the ways of
wildlife accumulated over a lifetime of intimate encounters; and a poignant story of a
boy’s difficult early life made whole and valuable in the
natural world. A stunning achievement."
Frank Lentricchia
novelist and literary critic |
|
"A joyful blend of recollection, fine art, and poetic expression, The Wildlife Art Ventures of Tom Yacovella is a rare contribution to a seldom-addressed niche in the pantheon of wildlife literature. Skillful writing and magnificent artwork are bonded by examples of the author’s lifetime of passion for the natural world. This is a must have book, not only for art aficionados and wildlife enthusiasts, but also for anyone who appreciates fine books.”
Milt Smith
author, educator and naturalist |
|
