2009 City of Albany , "Southern Wildlife by David Lanier"

Southern Wildlife by David Lanier

Easter Seals Southern Georgia is pleased to announce "Southern Wildlife" an art design by David Lanier. This design by David Lanier reflects a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature. A lifetime of careful observation gives way to richly detailed renderings of the natural world that remind us to slow down and marvel at the wondrous life that surrounds us.

Born in 1962 in Albany, Georgia, David spent much of his youth camping, hunting, and fishing across the southeastern states. Today, Lanier reflects on those early excursions as the most important influence on his decision to paint nature. I was fortunate to have parents that introduced me to the outdoors at an early age. We have made countless canoe trips together fishing and photographing wildlife.

While Lanier's observational skills were honed at an early age, he did not begin painting until his third year in college, when he enrolled in the famed Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Florida. After graduating with honors in 1985, Lanier began a brief stint as a commercial artist before deciding to paint wildlife full time. "The decision to paint wildlife was an easy one," states Lanier. "I believe it is my purpose in life to show others the beauty that surrounds us and, hopefully, point people to the Divine Creator whose work I can only imitate. We are so blessed to live on such a diverse planet where the natural world is so alluring. I choose to believe that God created this world to keep us in a constant state of wonder and amazement, and it is because of that fascination that I paint the scenes and animals that I do.