Inside a cave a ceremony is taking place.
Here tribal magicians dance to weaken the spirits of their animal prey, insuring success in an upcoming hunt. A shaman rhythmically chants. He is adorned with hides, horn, and sacred talismans made of bone and shell. By the light of a fire ancient craftsmen, women and children spread black charcoal, yellow and red ochre over the cave walls bringing images of wild animals to life. They use the irregular surface of the stone to provide the illusion of depth and perspective.
Game has been scarce in these winter months, and perhaps by drawing a herd of migrating reindeer, these animals may be supernaturally influenced to appear, providing the group with much needed food and clothing. Human populations are still sparse, and the animals they share the landscape with, and depend on for survival hold great power over their reality.
Long gone are the cave bears, saber-toothed cats, and mammoths.
Now, thousands of years later I hunt with a camera, fishing rod, shotgun, and sketchbook making pictures for many of the same reasons my ancestors did.
Biography
Anthony Pedro was born and raised in New York’s Hudson Valley. In 2003 he received an Associates Degree in Graphic Design from SUNY Rockland Community College, and subsequently a BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Since then, his drawings and acrylic paintings have been shown in New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Denver, Columbus, and Los Angeles art galleries as well as appeared in publications such as Marlin Magazine. His work is heavily influenced by the Golden Age of Illustration, natural history, and sporting art.
After earning a degree in Fisheries Technology from Mt. Hood Community College in 2018, Anthony has worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the United States Forest Service, and the private aquaculture industry in remote Alaska. He currently works as a Fisheries Technician on Oregon’s North Coast.
Copyright Information
All images copyright Anthony Pedro unless otherwise noted. For use of text or images in traditional print media or for any commercial licensing rights please email me for permissions.
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