David Utterback grew up in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, where he began collecting butterflies and moths at an early age. This interest led to a degree in Entomology from the School of Environmental Science and Forestry at Syracuse University. David would eventually spend his winters in Colorado where the back-country skiing was outstanding and summers in Arizona where the birding was exceptional. In the early 1990s, Dave moved to Portal, Arizona, a community known for its interest in biology in a region of exceptional biodiversity. With this move, Dave embarked on a full-time career as a wildlife artist.

"In many of my drawings I am hoping to evoke the same peaceful, clear, and attentive feeling that comes from spending time in the wilderness," David once reflected. "With the modern-day onslaught of in-your-face advertising, we have closed down our senses to the point where a walk in the woods can seem relatively dull. Finding beauty in a drawing may help lead others to rekindle their interest in nature."

Dave loved to visit the the Northern Jaguar Reserve, where he inventoried and photographed birds and butterflies, and found inspiration for his remarkable art work.

If you would like to make a donation to the David Utterback Memorial Fund for Bird and Butterfly Research, please contact:

Diana Hadley, President
Northern Jaguar Project
2114 West Grant Road, # 121
Tucson, AZ  85745
(520) 623-9653 ext 5
information@northernjaguarproject.org