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In 1782, the country's founders selected the majestic American Bald Eagle as the official symbol for the commonwealth.
Around 150 years later, states began choosing animals for local representation.  Today a multitude of animals represent their state's heritage reflecting local habitats, regional economic strengths and unique historical significance.
In 2008, I painted, "Fifty State Animals," fifty acrylic paintings portraying  One official animal from each state in the union.  Today the series has diversified into a multidimensional art piece including a street art series across SE Denver and prints mounted on panels.

Cafe Miriam.jpg

Cafe Miriam at City Park

2217 E 21st Ave, Denver, CO

cafemiriam.com

Best crepes in town and much more!  Fifty State Animals panels are on display and for sale year round.  Enjoy the finest coffee, breakfast and lunch just steps from City Park.

FIFTY STATE ANIMALS POSTER

From the original acrylic painting series, Fifty State Animals is Andrew Woodward's homage to America's official mascots.  

 

gloss paper, 24 x 36", $25

ALABAMA WILD TURKEY

The wild turkey was designated the official Alabama game bird in 1980.  A true American, the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is the largest & most widely distributed of the six subspecies of wild turkey in North America. The Male can grow up to 4’ tall and weigh well over 20 lbs. Hens may be almost as tall but usually weigh. The wild turkey is also a state symbol of MA, SC, & OK.

STREET ART LOCATION

Evans and I25N Entrance

12 x 12" Panel, $60

ALASKA MOOSE

Designated the official Alaska Land Mammal in 1998. Moose (Alces alces) are the world's largest member of the deer family, and the Alaska moose (Alces alces gigas) is the largest of all moose (males 1,000 - 1,600 lbs). They mostly inhabit the northern forests of North America, Europe, & Russia (in Europe they are called "elk".)

STREET ART LOCATION

Hampden and Oneida

12 x 12" Panel, $60

ARIZONA RIDGE NOSED RATTLESNAKE

The Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi) was recognized as the official state reptile of Arizona in 1986. First known to science in 1905, this small brown snake is of the most primitive rattlesnakes found in the US.

STREET ART LOCATION

Tamarac and I-25S Exit (COMING SOON)

12 x 12" Panel, $60

ARKANSAS MOCKINGBIRD

The mockingbird was recognized as the official state bird of Arkansas in 1929. Northern Mockingbirds have extraordinary vocal abilities - they can sing up to 200 songs, including those of other birds, insects & amphibian sounds, and even some mechanical noises.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and Grape

12 x 12" Panel, $60

CALIFORNIA QUAIL

Designated the California valley quail as the state bird in 1931. Known for hardiness and adaptability, the native bird (Callipepla Californicus) is plump, smaller than a pigeon, with a black plume on its head & a black bib & white stripe under its beak. AKA: CA partridge, Catalina quail, Topknot quail & Valley Quail.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and Clermont

12 x 12" Panel, $60

COLORADO ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN

Colorado designated the Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep as designated official state animal in 1961. Their massive, curling horns can grow to 50”.  With agility & balance, they (Ovis canadensis) are found only in the Rockies in extremely rugged terrain.  Their horns aren’t shed annually but grow in length and circumference throughout the sheep's life (a pair can weigh 30 lbs). Fewer than 45,000 are scattered through the western US and Canada.

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd @ Yale W

12 x 12" Panel, $60

CONNECTICUT AMERICAN ROBIN

Connecticut designated the American Robin (Turdus migratorius) as the state bird in 1943. Also, the official state bird of MI and WI. Robins are a true thrush and one of America's favorite songbirds. Migratory robins are watched for each year as the herald of spring, but many spend the entire winter in NE swamps, roosting in evergreens and feeding on winter berries.

STREET ART LOCATION

Monaco and Narcissus

12 x 12" Panel, $60

DELAWARE LADYBUG

The lady bug was adopted as the official state bug of Delaware in 1974 thanks to an intensive effort made by the 2nd grade students of the Lulu M. Ross Elementary in Milford, Delaware. Lady bugs help gardeners and farmers by eating tiny insect pests that damage plants.

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Iliff

12 x 12" Panel, $60

FLORIDA PANTHER

In 1982 the students of Florida elected the panther (Felis concolor coryi) as the state animal of FL. A large predator (can grow more than 6’ in length) and they play an important role in the ecosystem.  Florida panthers were persecuted to near-extinction out of fear (folklore refers to as "catamounts"). It is on the federal endangered species list, 1967, and the state’s endangered list in 1973.
 

STREET ART LOCATION

E Quincy by Tamarac Circle

12 x 12" Panel, $60

GEORGIA BROWN THRASHER

Georgia's governor first proclaimed brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) as state bird in 1935; it was finally recognized by state legislature asstate bird in 1970 (at the request of Garden Clubs of Georgia). 

STREET ART LOCATION

COMING SOON

12 x 12" Panel, $60

HAWAII GOOSE

In 1957 Hawaii designated the nene, or Hawaiian goose (Branta sandwicensis) as the official state bird. The nene seldom swims and isn't bothered by predators or the cold, they do not fly much and their wings are weak compared to other geese. The Nene has feet only half as webbed as other geese and longer toes for climbing on the rocky surfaces.

STREET ART LOCATION

Hampden and Poplar

12 x 12" Panel, $60

IDAHO PEREGRINE FALCON

The amazing peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) was designated official state raptor of Idaho in 2004 (also on state quarter). Idaho recognizes two bird symbols (mountain bluebird is state bird). The Peregrine Falcon was an endangered species due to pesticides, but populations are recovering since banning of DDT in the 1970s and it was removed from the list in 1999.

STREET ART LOCATION

2500 S Colorado Blvd

12 x 12" Panel, $60

ILLINOIS PAINTED TURTLE

Designated official state reptile in 2005 after winning the 2004 vote of the citizens of IL. Also the state reptile of Michigan.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and I-25 N exit

12 x 12" Panel, $60

INDIANA CARDINAL

The wild turkey was designated the official Alabama game bird in 1980.  A true native American, the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) is the largest & most widely distributed of the six subspecies of wild turkey in North America. The Male can grow up to 4’ tall and weigh over 20 lbs. Hens may be almost as tall but usually less than  12–14lbs. The turkey is also a symbol of MA, SC, & OK.

STREET ART LOCATION

Havana and Girard

12 x 12" Panel, $60

IOWA EASTERN GOLDFINCH

Iowa designated the eastern goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) as state bird in 1933. Also called American goldfinch or wild canary, the eastern goldfinch is found throughout Iowa and often stays through the winter months.

STREET ART LOCATION

Evans and Birch

12 x 12" Panel, $60

KANSAS TIGER BARRED SALAMANDER

Kansas designated the barred tiger salamander (Ambystoma mavortium) as state amphibian in 1994. A large amphibian that can grow to 14’, they are found in wild from southwest Canada through the western United States and south into northern Mexico.

STREET ART LOCATION

Amherst and Quebec

12 x 12" Panel, $60

KENTUCKY THOROUGHBRED

The thoroughbred (Equus caballus) was designated the official state horse of Kentucky in 1996 (a thoroughbred horse is also featured on the Kentucky state quarter).

STREET ART LOCATION

(COMING SOON)

12 x 12" Panel, $60

LOUISIANA BROWN PELICAN

Designated state bird of Louisiana in 1966. Early European settlers were impressed with the pelican's generous and loving natur toward their young, and the brown pelican has been a symbol of LA ever since. Louisiana's official nickname is "The Pelican State" and the brown pelican appears on LA's state flag, state seal, the official state painting, and is one of three Louisiana symbols displayed on the U.S. mint quarter.

STREET ART LOCATION

Havana and Dartmouth

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MAINE COON CAT

The Maine coon cat was recognized as the official state cat of Maine in 1985. Well established more than a century ago, they are one of the oldest natural breeds in North America. Though tabby color is most well-known, they come in many colors.

STREET ART LOCATION

Monaco and Cornell

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MARYLAND BLUE CRAB

Marlyand designated the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) as official state crustacean in 1989. Its scientific name translates as "beautiful swimmer that is savory." The name honors Mary Jane Rathbun, the scientist who described the species in 1896. The blue crab is native to the western edge of the Atlantic Ocean from Nova Scotia to Argentina. The Chesapeake Bay is famous for its blue crabs.

STREET ART LOCATION

(COMING SOON)

12 x 12" Panel $60

MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON TERRIER

The Boston Terrier (Canis familiaris bostenensis) was recognized by the Massachusetts legislature as the official state dog in 1979. A cross between an English bulldog and an English terrier, the Boston terrier was the first "purebred" dog developed in America (1869).

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and Albion

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MICHIGAN WOLVERINE

The wolverine has a stout body and short muscular legs with two light chestnut stripes extending along its dark brown sides from the shoulders to the end of a hairy tail. The largest member of the weasel family, up to 35 to 44 inches long, the animal has a vicious disposition and destructive capabilities.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and Dahlia

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MINNESOTA COMMON LOON

The common loon (Gavia immer) was adopted as official state bird symbol of MN in 1961. Loons are known for their cries, wails, and yodels - their eerie, echoing calls are a distinctive feature of MN’s northern lakes.

STREET ART LOCATION

Evans and Holly

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MISSISSIPPI RED FOX

Mississippi designated the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as an official mammal symbol of the state in 1997. The red fox is a member of the canidae family (includes wolf, coyote & domestic dog.)

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Yale E

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MISSOURI FOX TROTTER

The Missouri Fox Trotter, designated  state horse June 4, 2002,  were developed in rugged Ozark hills of Missouri during the early 19th century. Bloodlines can be traced from early settlers to Missouri from the neighboring states of KY, IL, TN and AR. The distinguishing characteristic of the fox trotter is its rhythmic gait, in which the horse walks with its front feet and trots with the hind.

STREET ART LOCATION

7500 E Hampden 

12 x 12" Panel, $60

MONTANA GRIZZLY BEAR

Montana designated the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) as the official state animal in 1983. They can be found in Glacier National Park and mountains in NW Montana. The largest carnivores in America, an adult can stand 8 feet tall on its hind legs, weigh up to 1,500 pounds, and run at speeds up to 35 miles an hour.

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Hampden

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NEBRASKA HONEYBEE

Nebraska designated the honeybee (Apis mellifica) as official state insect in 1975. Bee pollination is critical to plant and human survival - beeswax and honey are just surplus gifts from this tiny wonder of nature. The honeybee is an official state symbol in 17 states as honeybees play an important role in agriculture.

STREET ART LOCATION

COMING SOON

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NEVADA MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD

Nevada designated the mountain bluebird (Sialia currucoides) as the official state bird in 1967 A member of the thrush family, the mountain bluebird lives in Nevada's high country and sings with a clear, short warble.

STREET ART LOCATION

Monaco and Memorial Way

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NEW HAMPSHIRE RED SPOTTED NEWT

New Hampshire designated the spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) as the official state amphibian in 1985 after a 2-year effort by high school students. Common in New Hampshire, the Union Leader newspaper (April 25, 1985, p. 48) lists the newt as "the perfect symbol for ensuring ecology in New Hampshire, as they exist predominantly in the rain and runoff sodden areas heavily affected by acid rain."

STREET ART LOCATION

COMING SOON

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NEW JERSEY BROOK TROUT

The brook trout, (Salvelinus fontinalis) was declared the official state fish in 1991. Governor James J. Florio signed it January 8, 1992 at Hopatcong Middle School, Hopatcong.

 

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and I-25 S Exit

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NEW MEXICO ROADRUNNER

Designated official state bird in 1949, The roadrunner, aka the chaparral bird, (Geococcyx californianus) inhabits desert and shrubby country in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

STREET ART LOCATION

Tamarac and Dartmouth

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NEW YORK AMERICAN BEAVER

The beaver (Castor canadensis) was adopted as the State animal of New York in 1975. Unique animals with flat tails and lustrous fur, beavers have the ability to change a landscape second only to humans. Beavers prefer to dam streams in shallow valleys, turning much of the flooded area into wetlands (almost half of endangered and threatened species in North America rely on wetlands).

STREET ART LOCATION

University and Dartmouth

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NORTH CAROLINA GREY SQUIRREL

The Eastern gray squirrel was designated the official state mammal of North Carolina in 1969.

STREET ART LOCATION

Monaco and Oneida

12 x 12" Panel, $60

NORTH DAKOTA WESTERN MEADOWLARK

The western meadowlark (Sturnella Neglecta) was designated official state bird of North Dakota in 1947. The western meadowlark is a familiar songbird of open country across the western two-thirds of the continent. (from WI to TX and west to the Pacific). Also state bird of KS, MT, NE, OR, and WY.

STREET ART LOCATION

COMING SOON

12 x 12" Panel, $60

OHIO WHITE TAILED DEER

Designated official state animal in 1988.  An animal of beauty and power, they can run up to 40 miles per hour, jump 9 foot fences, & swim 13 miles per hour. The white underside of the deer's tail waves when running and is flashed when danger is sensed. Native Americans and settlers relied on the white-tailed deer for buckskin & food.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yosemite and Eastman

12 x 12" Panel, $60

OKLAHOMA SCISSOR-TAILED FLYCATCHER 

Oklahoma designated the scissor-tailed flycatcher (Muscivora forficata) as state bird in 1951. Protected by law, it is of great economic value (diet consists almost entirely of non-useful & harmful insect species such as grasshoppers, crickets, & beetles). The songbird's unique tail can be twice as long as its body. Oklahoma is the center of its nesting range.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and Quebec

12 x 12" Panel, $60

OREGON SWALLOWTAIL

The Oregon swallowtail butterfly (Papilio oregonius) was designated as OR’s official state insect in 1979. This strikingly beautiful butterfly is a true native of the Northwest.  The OR Swallowtail butterfly can be seen in the lower sagebrush canyons of the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Snake River drainage.

STREET ART LOCATION

Monaco and Yale

12 x 12" Panel, $60

PENNSYLVANIA GREAT DANE

The Great Dane was designated the official state dog of PA in 1965. A portrait of William Penn and his Great Dane hangs in the Governor's reception room (Best Friend, by PA artist Violet Oakley). Great Danes were used as a hunting and working breed in frontier Pennsylvania. PA Legislation states that naming an official dog of the Commonwealth would "recognize the steadfast service and loyal devotion of all dogs in PA."

STREET ART LOCATION

Tamarac and Eastman

12 x 12" Panel, $60

RHODE ISLAND RED

Designated the official state bird of RI in 1954. When the bill was signed into law, then Governor Roberts stated: "The RI red has become a symbol of Rhode Islanders all over the world."

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Amherst

12 x 12" Panel, $60

SOUTH CAROLINA WOLF SPIDER

South Carolina designated the Carolina wolf spider (Hogna carolinensis) as the official state spider in 2000. It is the largest North American wolf spider. SC is the only state spider.

STREET ART LOCATION

COMING SOON

12 x 12" Panel, $60

SOUTH DAKOTA COYOTE

The coyote (Canis latrans) was adopted as SD state animal in 1949. Native to desert southwest, they now range from AK, Canada and the USA, and south to central America. In SD, the coyote (also called prairie wolf) is found in the greatest numbers in the Black Hills and along the Missouri River and its tributaries.

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Dartmouth

12 x 12" Panel, $60

TENNESSEE RACCOON

Adopted as Tennessee's wild animal symbol in 1971, the common raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a native to the Americas. Derived from the Algonquian Indian word "aroughcoune," meaning "he who scratches with his hands," They range over entire US except Rockies and desert southwest.  They were hunted in earlier times for their water repellent fur.

STREET ART LOCATION

Hampden and I-25 N exit

12 x 12" Panel, $60

TEXAS NINE BANDED ARMADILLO

Texas designated the nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) as official state small mammal in 1995. Distant cousin to the sloth and anteater, the nb armadillo is only species in North America.  A bony, scaled shell protects the armadillo from predators. Originally native to South America, it now ranges as far north as TX, OK, KS and LA. The other twenty or so armadillo species remain in Central and South America.

STREET ART LOCATION

Hamopden and Happy Canyon

12 x 12" Panel, $60

UTAH ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK

The Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) became the official State animal of Utah in 1971. Called 'wapiti' by the Shawnee Indians, elk are members of the deer family and associate closely with the deer and moose of Utah. Elk once inhabited most of the USA, but are now found only west of the Rocky Mountains.

STREET ART LOCATION

Monaco and Iliff

12 x 12" Panel, $60

VERMONT MONARCH BUTTERFLY

Vermont designated the monarch (Danaus plexippus) as the official state butterfly in 1987. Caterpillar and butterfly are brilliant in color as a warning (they ingest toxins from the milkweed plant which are poisonous to predators.)

STREET ART LOCATION

Hampden and Verbana

12 x 12" Panel, $60

VIRGINIA AMERICAN FOXHOUND

Designated by VA American foxhound as official state dog in 1966. Developed in colonial times by landed gentry purely for the sport of hunting foxes. There are several strains (ie: Walker, Goodman, Trigg, July & Penn-Marydel) that differ in appearance but are the same breed.

STREET ART LOCATION

Tamarac and Girard

12 x 12" Panel, $60

WASHINGTON ORCA

WA designated the orca whale (Orcinus orca) as the official marine mammal in 2005 due to the research and persuasion of second graders from the Crescent Harbor Elementary School in Oak Harbor, WA. This symbol is intended to promote orca awareness and to encourage protection of the natural marine habitat.  Pods of orcas migrate annually through Puget Sound. It is a significant symbol for the Native American culture.

STREET ART LOCATION

Yale and Fillmore

12 x 12" Panel, $60

WEST VIRGINIA BLACK BEAR

The state Division of Natural Resources conducted a poll to elect a state animal as a symbol for WV in 1954. Students, teachers, and sportsmen chose the black bear as the animal symbol by a large margin. The population lives in all of West Virginia's 55 counties.

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Dickinson

12 x 12" Panel, $60

WISCONSIN DAIRY COW

The dairy cow (Bos taurus) was designated the state domesticated animal of Wisconsin in 1971. The dairy industry has been important to Wisconsin's economy and heritage.

 

STREET ART LOCATION

Hampden and Galena

12 x 12" Panel, $60

WYOMING BISON

Designated official state mammal in 1985, a bull Bison can weigh over 1800 lbs & stand 6’ tall. They roamed the prairie by tens of millions and were a way of life for the plains Indians. Hunted to the brink of extinction, an estimated that 300 - 500 remained when the federal government passed stricter game laws in 1889. Inseparable with American history, no other wild animal has played such a significant role in human affairs.

STREET ART LOCATION

Colorado Blvd and Evans

12 x 12" Panel, $60

AMERICAN BALD EAGLE

The American bald eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) was adopted as the official emblem of the USA in 1782. Chosen because of its beauty, strength, long life, & because it's native to North America. In the wild, one will live 30-35 yrs (50 yrs in captivity). They fly up to 30 miles an hour and can dive at 100 miles an hour. Eagles feed primarily on fish, supplemented by small mammals, waterfowl, and carrion.

STREET ART LOCATION

Hampden and Monaco

12 x 12" Panel, $60

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