Avelyn Walker (she/her)
Student
Hourglass Treefrog
Colored pencil
Artist Statement
This piece was created to integrate my passion for amphibians and their conservation in a creative way I enjoy; expression through art of issues present in our world I feel is an excellent way to answer the RSNER mission question, and is something I feel can lead to awareness and change. I am an avid animal enthusiast, frogs being my favorite, so when learning about the deadly chytrid fungus leading to extinctions in many species of amphibian I felt helpless. I’ve gone herping forever, and simply can’t imagine a world without frogs. Creating this piece not only allowed me to be creative in a way I enjoy, it also gave me an outlet for this concern that I hope could bring more awareness to the situation. The shadow of the fungus surrounding a frog named after an hourglass I feel encapsulates the situation well; there is definitely a sense of urgency when I think of the future of these creatures.