Mary Cristine Blake

I was born in Modesto, California

Currently I live and do odds and ends in Santa Rosa, CA

I was pretty cute when I was little. Now I'm an old lady. Still making art now and then.

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I always drew. And, while working, I started to paint. After retiring, I dove into watercolor. My husband insisted we learn to SCUBA dive, and then to sail which meant moments of intense joy mixed with panic (I'm afraid of the water). I also volunteered, focusing on wildlife rescue facilities. I began in WildCare's (San Rafael) hospital where I cared for an amazing variety of animals. Then I began working with ambassador animals,. Over time, I also volunteered at Hungry Owl Project (now part of WildCare) All ABout Owls, and at The Bird Rescue Center in Santa Rosa. The best part of my "job" was taking Red-tailed Hawks, Screech Owls and Great Horned Owls to schools.

From these experiences have come most of my paintings. I was slow to start painting birds. I didn't want something "cute" or totems of my own hopes and desires for a more meaningful world (so hard to avoid). I wanted to treat them with respect, to show them as alive and as individuals, even as imperfect beings like all of us are.