Pittsburgh artist's work to be featured, raffled at Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show

Sheree Daugherty has been drawing animals since before she began grade school.

“I drew stacks of unrealistic scenes, like elephants, skunks, snakes and monkeys all in the same setting,” said Daugherty, 65, of Pittsburgh’s North Side.

A few years later, Daugherty saw a painting by wildlife artist Ned Smith on the cover of a Pennsylvania Game News magazine, and that was all the inspiration she needed.

“I’ve probably drawn or painted almost every day since then,” she said.

One of Daugherty’s paintings, of a Pennsylvania elk, will be featured and raffled off as part of the Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show, held Aug. 5-7 near Lancaster. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the Wildlands Preservation Fund land acquisition program.

Daugherty also will have a Pittsburgh-area show happening Nov. 5-6 at the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania’s Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel.

Daugherty spoke with the Tribune-Review about her love of nature — birds in particular — and her love of painting. This interview has been edited for length.

Q: How did you come to settle on nature and wildlife as the primary topic for your art?

A: Everything in nature interests me — animals, birds, plants, even the creepy-crawly things. My paintings are a way of sharing that interest with others. My fondest memories are all related to being outdoors. There is always something new to experience and learn.

Q: What do you find to be the most difficult animal to paint, and why?

A: Obviously, some animals are more complex, have more complicated patterns, and so forth. But, in general, painting anything that is solid black or white can be difficult. It’s hard to do the highlights and shading without a white object turning blue or a black subject becoming too gray.

Q: What do you use as a reference when creating these realistic nature paintings?

A: I do look at photos but mostly as reference. I like to observe a subject, learn what is the preferred habitat, how it moves and the obvious things like color and shape. Then using what is often called “artistic license,” create a composition that tells the story that I’ve envisioned.

Q: Do you have a favorite specific subject when it comes to your art?

A: Birds, birds, birds! I’ve been a birder for decades and never tire of watching them. I am president of the Three Rivers Birding Club, one of the state’s and nation’s largest. There is always a new behavior to study. I’ve traveled to almost every state in the U.S., as well as Central America, South America and the Caribbean, to enjoy the unique birds and nature that each location offers. I’ve even been to an island in the Bering Sea that’s 36 miles from Russia! For me, travel is research and development.