Ilona Fried

I rediscovered the joyful spontaneity of drawing in 2024 after several decades. During and after the pandemic I photographed birds as a way to connect more intimately with nature, the present moment and with myself. These images became references for colored pencil drawings. The birds inspired me to expand into other media. My current art practice is a mixture of play, exploration and experimentation and a way to celebrate our feathered friends with bold colors and patterns. I aspire to capture the essence, personalities and attitudes of these tiny yet mighty, fragile and fierce winged creatures that grace our world.