Detail of ‘Embrace’, 20”x22”, acrylic on maple panel 2017 for my latest show Spectrum at Joshua Liner Gallery in NYC (swipe to see full painting) I often think of salamanders as the ‘canary in the coal mine’ ~ indicator species provide a barometer for the health of our environment. I made this piece as 1/4 of my synchronized movement series, after witnessing a hopeful scene of Ensatina’s embracing each other in a mating ball aka Amplexus. Aesthetically inspired by minimalist Japanese Aquascaping, I experimented with shadow and highlights following the pattern in the grain of wood. Ensatina’s literally ‘crawling out of the woodwork’ down the steps in the grain to mate in a receding shallow pond of floating duckweed aqua plants. The decline in amphibian populations has been widely publicized yet these secretive salamanders deserve more attention and protection as they are intrinsically valuable and important to the health of our eco-system. I’m hoping if this original painting sells I’ll be able to donate a portion of the proceeds to help them out! If interested please contact @joshualinergallery. If you’d like to learn how you can help these beautiful creatures please check out www.savethesalamanders.com. Thank you! #savethesalamanders #salamanders #ecosystem #ensatina #tiffanybozic #californiaherps #indicatorspecies #habitatdestruction #watermodification