Wonders Out West: A joyful celebration of the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America

Arriving at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute in June of 2024, Lisa McLaughlin studied everything from Roger’s finished paintings to line drawings and sketches. Focusing on hummingbirds and roadrunners was a first for an artist in residence. McLaughlin also discovered that the latest edition of the Peterson Field Guide to Birds of Western North America includes Hawaii & Alaska. It felt like a sign. She had to try and include birds from these places as well.

McLaughlin found inspiration everywhere. During her week-long residency, she studied the architecture of RTPI, Roger’s Library archives, and watched his film Wild America.

Her experiences of visiting Hawaii and many of the same National Parks that Roger visited during his Wild America journey were put to good use. A majority of the paintings derive from her personal photographs.

Her takeaway from the residency was not what Roger painted, but how—with especial note to the complete joy and love of nature with which he painted. McLaughlin hopes that this is also what viewers of her work take away. Viewing art is as personal as creating it. If a person viewing her work derives joy from it, then she has achieved her goal.

Lisa McLaughlin is a NY-state-based artist. Nature continually fascinates her—always has, always will. For McLaughlin, research is the best part of every painting. It’s essential to do justice to each subject. Hours are spent outdoors. Nature centers, parks, zoos, aquariums, butterfly houses, and gardens provide valuable observations and information. Numerous photos are taken and collected. Field guides are poured over. With over 20 years of professional experience, McLaughlin’s projects include commissioned work for Cornell University, New York State Educational Research Network, Army Corps of Engineers, University of Chicago Press, State University of New York Medical Center, and Laubach Literacy International. McLaughlin has an Associate’s degree in Fine Art from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of NY, College at Buffalo.