Justin Kellner’s love of the outdoors led him to birding. Whether he’s camping, hunting, or hiking with his two kids, he always has his camera ready. He is fascinated by the process of spotting and identifying birds, and by the complex ways they relate to their ecosystems. His abstraction draws on memories from his birding excursions as well as from the landscape of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where he grew up.
We recently talked with Justin to learn more about his art and the birds that inspire it.
How long have you been birding?
Justin: I haven’t been birding all that long — maybe about 10 years or so. I don’t know what came first: art or birding. The two go hand-in-hand. Growing up going camping, hunting, and fishing, I gravitated toward birds. I think when you grow up outdoors, these things eventually show up in your artwork because they’re a part of your life, and embracing aspects of your life makes for successful art. Eventually, I started birding to get reference photos to use in my paintings.
Do you have a special memory of birding you want to share?
Justin: A few good memories come to mind. During migration one year, my wife and I spent hours in one spot at Tawas Point waiting for our first Mourning Warbler to pop out into the open so I could get good photos. My wife and I traveled to Chan Chich in Belize, which is in the middle of the jungle on the site of an ancient Mayan city. We were hiking between buried Mayan temples, and almost every bird we saw was new to us. I’m looking forward to making future memories, like taking my dad and brother birding with me for the first time this spring.
“I Fully Understand the Direction” by Justin Kellner | 16″ x 8″
Do you have a favorite species?
Justin: I don’t necessarily have a favorite species, but I’ve always been drawn to nuthatches and warblers. I think I have favorite birds to watch and favorite birds to paint. Photographing warblers is a fun challenge because they’re here and gone in one second. But if I had to say one, I’d have to go with the Red-breasted Nuthatch.
Do you keep a life list?
Justin: I keep a mental list; unfortunately, I’ve lost track of my number. That’s not to say it’s a high number, but I know what I’ve seen and what I haven’t, and if there’s something out there I haven’t seen yet, I’m after it. Every new species opens up possibilities for new paintings.
What was the most recent lifer you observed?
Justin: Swainson’s Warbler. I took a trip to Kentucky specifically to find that one. Apart from that, we recently had a Carolina Wren in our backyard, which was new for our backyard list.
Do you have a favorite birding hotspot or nature area?
Justin: Too many! It’s hard to beat Tawas Point during migration. I love going to Kleinstuck Preserve in Kalamazoo. Now each year, just watching our backyard and trying to create more habitat is exciting.
As an artist, how have you used your work to advance conservation efforts?
Justin: I initially wanted to inform the viewer of the shifting climate issues resulting in habitat loss and species decline. As my work evolves, I mainly believe the best way to help is to advocate for people to explore and discover birding.
What mediums do you work in?
Justin: I use acrylic paint on raw canvas while utilizing sawdust, pine needles, etc., to create interesting textures.
When did you begin embracing birds on your art journey?
Justin: There’s something spiritual and otherworldly about birds, as has been represented throughout art history. They can symbolize cycles, habitat loss, the “canary in the coal mine” idea. Over time, I feel like I began embracing the birds themselves more than the concept of what birds stood for.
“Nondescript” by Justin Kellner | 9″ x 5″
What is the hardest part of creating your work?
Justin: The hardest part is knowing when to stop and when to push the painting further. I love the initial gestural beginning of a painting and sometimes have to force myself to keep developing it further.
Justin is a Signature Member of Artists for Conservation and an Associate Member of the Society of Animal Artists. He is represented by galleries throughout Michigan and other parts of the U.S. His paintings have been featured in the internationally recognized exhibition Birds in Art at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum and have helped promote conservation through Preserved!, a partnership with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. Justin lives in Grand Rapids, where he paints full time. He hopes sharing his experiences in nature will encourage others to explore.
You can view Justin’s art on his website justinkellner.com and follow him on Instagram @justinkellnerart. His work is available for sale through numerous galleries in Michigan, and he can be reached via email at justinkellner@hotmail.com.
Justin will be doing an Instagram takeover for Michigan Audubon on March 27–29. Follow us to see what he shares!
Featured artwork: Detail of Magnolia Warbler from “The Other Left Yesterday Morning” by Justin Kellner
This post is part of a series featuring artists who celebrate Michigan birds in their work. Do you know an artist, amateur or professional, who should be featured in our series? Contact Communications & Marketing Coordinator Molly Keenan at mkeenan@michiganaudubon.org.