Thomas Pearrow earned the nickname “Birdman of St. Augustine” because, from his earliest days, he possessed an insatiable wonder for the natural world. Although he was fascinated by everything outdoors, birds were the primary focus that captured his rapt attention even as a small boy. Still today, he makes sure he always has a camera, pair of binoculars or sketch pad within reach “just in case”. This childhood fascination with birds led him to painting, bird rehabilitation and eventually falconry. He has rehabilitated countless orphaned and injured birds, ranging from hummingbirds to hawks and everything in between. At 16, Thomas was blessed to find Frederick Wetzel, a master watercolorist who became his teacher and lifelong friend. This began a 50-year bond that lasted from Tom’s teens and continued uninterrupted until Fred passed away at the age of 84. With Wetzel’s help and encouragement, Tom mastered the unforgiving medium of watercolors and the finer points of oil painting. Tom went on to receive a degree in Biological Illustration from the University of Florida and to study under two other renowned artists, Richard Sloan and Don Eckleberry. His pursuit of excellence led the prestigious Wilson Ornithological Society to commission his painting of the endangered Snail Kite. His artwork has been featured in several magazine over the years, and his paintings are in private collections throughout the United States. Tom taught middle school science for seventeen years and inspired many of his students to pursue their own careers in the sciences and arts. He is a gifted teacher and loves helping others learn painting techniques so they too can know the joy of portraying nature on paper and canvas. Tom’s goal is to capture the essence of a living creature rather than just its anatomy. Instead of focusing on every feather or blade of grass, he uses the perceived balance of light and shadow to recreate the genuine feeling of seeing an animal in the wild. Thomas Pearrow’s artwork showcases the unique synthesis of the analytical eye of a naturalist, the expressive hand of a painter and the heart of an avian devotee. The true magic of his work lies in his ability to make the two- dimensional surface come to life with his exquisite interpretation of God’s magnificent creation.