About the Animal Artist
Abi Cushman is an animal artist residing in the southeastern Connecticut town of New London. A lifelong animal-lover, Abi has always featured pets and wildlife in her art.
The Artist
Abi studied art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Melbourne University, and Tufts University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Studio Art.
Her wild animal paintings are on permanent display at the Children's Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, located in her hometown of Niantic.
Her illustrations have been published in Nucleus (a publication of the Union of Concerned Scientists), Charlesbridge Publishing's student workbooks, and greeting cards by Sharper Images.
The Artwork
For pet portraits, Abi focuses on the animal's eyes because she believes they help reveal the pet's personality. While she enjoys working in a wide variety of styles and mediums, one common theme in her pet portraits is the extensive layering and building of color.
Abi's wildlife fine art tends to be more symbolic. In her artist's book, Wilderness Endures, Abi dissected Western society's perceptions of wolves as manifested through fairytales such as The Three Little Pigs and Little Red Riding Hood, and compared them to scientific research of wolves and their social behavior.
She revisited this wolf theme in her series of prints, paintings and collages, Lone Wolf Series, where she created a solemn and haunting effect by abstracting the shape of the wolf's face.
Further Information
If you are interested in commissioning artwork by Abi, please contact her to discuss your ideas, or read Commission a Pet Portrait for more information.
Cards, prints, T-shirts, and other merchandise featuring Abi's art can be purchased at her Animal Art CafePress shop.