Driving through Miami can be a little scary as a passenger and has often led me to close my eyes at critical moments. The intense sun leaves a detailed “after-image” of what I saw right beforehand. This series forewarns that the beauty of our world may some day only survive as an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it. This is a scene from the Everglades.

Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

Driving through Miami can be a little scary as a passenger and has often led me to close my eyes at critical moments. The intense sun leaves a detailed “after-image” of what I saw right beforehand. This series forewarns that the beauty of our world may some day only survive as an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it. This scene was captured in Biscayne Park, FL.

Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

Juxtaposing the needles of a native Dade County pine next to a non-native king palm, this painting examines migration and how plant and animal species end up in different places.

We as humans are part of nature and interfere with species location just as a bird might spread seeds. Yet, as our species is at an imbalance with nature and we travel the globe, our actions have weightier consequences.

This is part of my After-image Series, which forewarns that the beauty of our world may some day only survive as an after-image if we do not act to protect it.

This image is the view out our back doors in Biscayne Park and is part of my After-image Series, which forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only survive as an after-image if we do not act to protect it.

The "Palm Oil After-image Series" brings an issue that seems far away close to home. Each composition highlights how we as Miamians may be impacted by the production and consumption of palm oil – whether it be via extreme weather patterns from the destruction of rainforest, flooding from sea level rise due to global warming, or the loss of our favorite animal to extinction.

While affecting policy around deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia may seem impossible, we can do something by making different choices as consumers and demanding corporate responsibility. This is part of my larger "After-image Series", which forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image – the image you see after staring at something bright – if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it.

• Rainforest deforestation changes the reflectivity of the Earth's surface (albedo)
> Area in Indonesia and Malaysia that used to reflect heat now absorbs it
> This changes our global weather patterns & contributes to the warming of the planet, causing sea level rise which affects Miami DIRECTLY
• Download an app called PALM OIL SCANNER to help you avoid products that contain this ingredient

This painting was part of a group show with 7 other ProjectArt Residents called Currents at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

This is the second in the After-image series, a scene from Dinner Key in Coconut Grove, FL.

This painting brings attention to the fact that the ROGG (River of Grass Greenway) would have adversely affected water ‪flow in the Everglades, as well as the Miccosukee people's ‪way of life, the wildlife ‪there and possibly Miami's water supply in general. While the ROGG was defeated, the fight to protect the Everglades from development is not over, but rather a continuous battle.

This painting is based on JohnBob Carlos's photo ‪of an area where the "bike path" would cut through, and is part of my "‪After-Image" series. Unless we protect our world, places like this may be nothing but an after-image – the image you see when you close your eyes after staring at something bright. 

Purchase prints here.

My After-image Series was born from driving through Miami as a passenger after we moved here — I would close my eyes at particularly scary moments. I noticed the sun would leave an ‘after-image’ of what I saw right beforehand. This series forewarns that the beauty of our world may some day only be an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moments and don’t act.

We’re at a critical point RIGHT NOW. In the style of Nelly, this painting poses the question — will South Florida literally Sink or will we Swim with environmental protection, renewable job creation & justice for those most impacted by climate change? Vote in the midterms for candidates who will rise above & fight for these things.

This was created at the live art competition at Naomi's for Miami Rising: Rise for Climate, Jobs & Justice. Purchase prints here.

Driving through Miami can be a little scary as a passenger and has often led to me close my eyes at critical moments. The intense sun leaves a detailed ‘after-image’ of what I saw right beforehand. This ongoing series explores that colorful imagery through paint and forewarns that the beauty of our world may some day only be an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to save it. This scene was captured in Coconut Grove, FL. 

Purchase prints here.

Miami has no shortage of amazingly beautiful trees and sunshine! This is a tree I found in Coconut Grove. The way the Spanish moss was draped and the vines and roots were intertwined looked almost dream-like and reminded me of why I moved here. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This Biscayne Park tree was wrapped in solid vines that looked like they were part of the tree. The tree appeared as if it were supported by the vines. At first I was annoyed that my shot included the power lines in the background. However, it forced me to look at the tree differently. Those were the power lines I was interested in, the lines coming together to form a powerful supporting structure. How can we be power lines to others? How can we come together to be a support network for friends, family, neighbors, acquaintances, strangers, animals – who may be hurting, mistreated, disenfranchised, struggling, discriminated against, ill, unemployed or homeless? Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

I think we can learn a lot from nature if we look more closely.

Not only are ‪‎papaya‬ trees determined to take root wherever they can, but they're also extremely ‪‎adaptable‬. If the top gets lopped off – no problem. In a few weeks, it will have all new branches with even sweeter fruit. Although most require ‪‎pollination‬, some can even self-pollinate. 

This one was a foot tall when we moved in a year ago, and within 6 months it was 8-ft. tall and had produced at least 40 papayas. Their ‪‎persistence‬ and ‪‎adaptability‬ make them a successful species. They don't seem to give up... ever. If they're cut down, you bet they'll find a way to come back. 

Do humans have the same persistence as papaya trees? Based on the many amazing people I've been lucky enough to connect with or hear about this past year, I say YES. My eyes have been opened to so many members of our species who don't give up... ever. These badass ‪‎entrepreneurs‬, ‪inventors‬, ‪‎leaders‬, ‪environmentalists‬, ‪artists‬, ‪beekeepers‬, ‪‎activists‬ and ‪scientists‬ relentlessly work to achieve their goals for the greater good – and once they're successful, they set even bigger goals. They don't take no for an answer and get right back up if cut down. 

These individuals each have an innate and perhaps instinctual drive to help others and/or protect the planet – a drive that's much bigger than themselves. I'm so incredibly grateful to have been led to each and every one and am inspired by them all. I hope you also start to notice the "persistent papayas" in your community and begin to think about what you can do to help them, become one yourself or help cultivate more. 

I was taking a walk through Coconut Grove shortly after we moved to Miami when I saw this urn on a wall. I loved the way the light played off of it through the trees. I wanted to highlight the juxtaposition of the manmade urn against the organic tree branches. The title Branching Out refers to new found observations I began having as I transitioned to a new career as an environmental artist.

This Black Bear is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it. This was created in response to the "Bear Kill Bill" that was signed by DeSantis in 2024, putting our threatened Florida Black Bears in further peril.

Prints available here. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Black Bear is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it. This was created in response to the "Bear Kill Bill" that was signed by DeSantis in 2024, putting our threatened Florida Black Bears in further peril.

Prints available here. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Black Bear is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it. This was created in response to the "Bear Kill Bill" that was signed by DeSantis in 2024, putting our threatened Florida Black Bears in further peril.

Prints available here. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Great Egret is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Prints available here. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Scarlet Ibis is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Roseate Spoonbill is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Florida Black Bear is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

This Flamingo is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

This scene from Everglades National Park is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

The "Palm Oil After-image Series" brings an issue that seems far away close to home. Each composition highlights how we as Miamians may be impacted by the production and consumption of palm oil – whether it be via extreme weather patterns from the destruction of rainforest, flooding from sea level rise due to global warming, or the loss of our favorite animal to extinction.

While affecting policy around deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia may seem impossible, we can do something by making different choices as consumers and demanding corporate responsibility. This is part of my larger "After-image Series", which forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image – the image you see after staring at something bright – if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it.

• Approx. 90% of palm oil is produced in Malaysia & Indonesia
• Over 50,000 orangutans on the islands of Borneo & Sumatra have died because of palm oil deforestation (6,000 die A YEAR)
• 80% of their habitat has vanished in the last 20 years (300 soccer fields PER HOUR)
• Our fragile ecosystems depend upon biodiversity
• Download an app called PALM OIL SCANNER to help you avoid products that contain this ingredient

This painting was part of a group show with 7 other ProjectArt Residents called Currents at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

The "Palm Oil After-image Series" brings an issue that seems far away close to home. Each composition highlights how we as Miamians may be impacted by the production and consumption of palm oil – whether it be via extreme weather patterns from the destruction of rainforest, flooding from sea level rise due to global warming, or the loss of our favorite animal to extinction.

While affecting policy around deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia may seem impossible, we can do something by making different choices as consumers and demanding corporate responsibility. This is part of my larger "After-image Series", which forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image – the image you see after staring at something bright – if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it.

• The Sumatran elephant is critically endangered and the Bornean pygmy elephant is endangered
• There are less than 3,000 Sumatran elephants left
• We can avoid products with palm oil, which is found in ice cream, cookies, crackers, bread, noodles, chocolate, pizza dough, margarine, lipstick, shampoo, soap, detergents, candles & more
• Download an app called PALM OIL SCANNER to help you avoid products that contain this ingredient

This painting was part of a group show with 7 other ProjectArt Residents called Currents at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

The "Palm Oil After-image Series" brings an issue that seems far away close to home. Each composition highlights how we as Miamians may be impacted by the production and consumption of palm oil – whether it be via extreme weather patterns from the destruction of rainforest, flooding from sea level rise due to global warming, or the loss of our favorite animal to extinction.

While affecting policy around deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia may seem impossible, we can do something by making different choices as consumers and demanding corporate responsibility. This is part of my larger "After-image Series", which forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image – the image you see after staring at something bright – if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it.

• Due to palm oil deforestation, there are now only 400 Sumatran tigers left in the world
• Download an app called PALM OIL SCANNER to help you avoid products that contain this ingredient

This painting was part of a group show with 7 other ProjectArt Residents called Currents at the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

A collaboration with photographer Albert Mollinea, who photographed this Fritillary enjoying a Golden Dewdrop blossom, in his butterfly garden. It's part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

If you'd like to collaborate on the next piece in this series or have a suggestion for what the next painting should highlight, I'd love to hear from you! Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

This Cloudless Sulphur is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original.

This Thaos Swallowtail painting is a collaboration with photographer Alex Salcedo. It's part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

If you'd like to collaborate on the next piece in this series or have a suggestion for what the next painting should highlight, I'd love to hear from you! Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

This is a collaboration with artist/activist Mary Benton, founder of Bound by Beauty. Mary photographed this once-thought-to-be-endangered Atala butterfly on fiddlewood. This is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

If you'd like to collaborate on the next piece in this series or have a suggestion for what the next painting should highlight, I'd love to hear from you! Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

I think Lolita is magic. And she knows we’re trying to help. Orcas have a part of the brain that we don’t have – a part that processes emotion. Maybe it lets them communicate telepathically with their pod. Maybe even with us. We don’t really know. We also don’t know how hard it was for Lolita or her family when she was stolen from them, at only four years old. But it’s POSSIBLE it was more difficult for her family than it would’ve been for yours or mine.

She was kidnapped for our entertainment and for someone’s profit. She’s performed every day for 45 years. Lolita is probably smarter than we are. But it’s OK. There’s still time to wake up, change our ways and return our beautiful Lolita to the sea, to the place where her family still lives. Wouldn’t you want the same?

It’s just possible that Lolita, Tilikum and many others are our teachers, so that we can learn an important lesson. We weren’t put here to rule the other animals and make them perform for us, we were put here to protect them. I think that’s what she wants me to tell you.

What can you do to help Lolita? You can watch the movie Blackfish, refrain from visiting the Miami Seaquarium or SeaWorld, sign this petition: http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/free-lolita-the-orca. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase original. Purchase prints here.

“Women’s work” historically refers to the tasks determined “feminine” or “beneath men” by the patriarchy, or the often invisible, thankless work women still do.

Female cows are artificially inseminated in order to produce milk and at most dairy farms, their calves are taken away or prevented from nursing. Some are slaughtered within hours of birth and some are sent to veal crates.

These practices have been normalized on a mass scale and domain over female animal bodies is widely accepted as a human right. Non-human animals are considered “other”, not worthy of bodily autonomy. Their suffering is invisible to most of us and their consciousness is debated or denied. The animal agriculture business works to maintain them as “other” and the flesh, fluids or eggs we take from them as “products”.

They also work to hide that they’re a significant cause of deforestation, climate change, pandemics, extinctions and pollution in BIPOC communities.

I believe the way we treat non-human animals is strongly linked to the way we treat each other. It's possible that once we achieve gender and racial equity, we will be more sympathetic to our animal friends’ suffering – but by then, it will be too late. Perhaps organized religion and white male supremacy will continue to perpetuate the control of female bodies, until we finally destroy our home and ourselves.

“Women’s work” historically refers to the tasks determined “feminine” or “beneath men” by the patriarchy, or the often invisible, thankless work women still do.

Chickens have been selectively bred to lay 250 eggs per year for human consumption while wild chickens lay 10-15 per year. This high rate of production is metabolically taxing, leading to osteoporosis, fractures and reproductive disorders. The egg production business also disposes of male baby chicks by grinding them alive.

These practices have been normalized on a mass scale and domain over female animal bodies is widely accepted as a human right. Non-human animals are considered “other”, not worthy of bodily autonomy. Their suffering is invisible to most of us and their consciousness is debated or denied. The animal agriculture business works to maintain them as “other” and the flesh, fluids or eggs we take from them as “products”.

They also work to hide that they’re a significant cause of deforestation, climate change, pandemics, extinctions and pollution in BIPOC communities.

I believe the way we treat non-human animals is strongly linked to the way we treat each other. It's possible that once we achieve gender and racial equity, we will be more sympathetic to our animal friends’ suffering – but by then, it will be too late. Perhaps organized religion and white male supremacy will continue to perpetuate the control of female bodies, until we finally destroy our home and ourselves.

“Women’s work” historically refers to the tasks determined “feminine” or “beneath men” by the patriarchy, or the often invisible, thankless work women still do.

The colonialist patriarchal system is so ingrained within our society that it extends to our relationship with non-human animals. The oppression of female bodies is the very basis for factory farming.

In some instances, female fish undergo surgery to have eggs removed for human consumption, on a continuous cycle for up to 10 years. In other cases, they’re stunned and their ovaries are entirely removed.

These practices have been normalized on a mass scale and domain over female animal bodies is widely accepted as a human right. Non-human animals are considered “other”, not worthy of bodily autonomy. Their suffering is invisible to most of us and their consciousness is debated or denied. The animal agriculture business works to maintain them as “other” and the flesh, fluids or eggs we take from them as “products”.

They also work to hide that they’re a significant cause of deforestation, climate change, pandemics, extinctions and pollution in BIPOC communities.

I believe the way we treat non-human animals is strongly linked to the way we treat each other. It's possible that once we achieve gender and racial equity, we will be more sympathetic to our animal friends’ suffering – but by then, it will be too late. Perhaps organized religion and white male supremacy will continue to perpetuate the control of female bodies, until we finally destroy our home and ourselves.

This commissioned Drone Honeybee is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to commission a custom painting. Purchase prints here.

This Zebra Longwing is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Purchase prints here.

This is a collaboration with Nashville photographer/biologist Scott Dickerson. While the Great Blue Heron has not fared as poorly as other wading birds, wetland destruction has caused a decrease in its numbers. This series forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it. Purchase prints here.

This is based on a photo taken by Nashville biologist Scott Dickerson. Owls are threatened by destruction of their habitat; several species are endangered, including the Barn Owl, Northern Spotted Owl and the Snowy Owl. This series forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it. Purchase prints here.

This painting is a collaboration with Scott Dickerson, who photographed this weathered swallowtail butterfly resting on a geranium. It's part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

If you'd like to collaborate on the next piece in this series or have a suggestion for what the next painting should highlight, I'd love to hear from you! Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Purchase prints here.

This collaboration with photographer Scott Dickerson depicts the Gulf Fritillary, a butterfly common in the southern part of the United States who pollinates a variety of flowers. This series forewarns that the beauty of our world may someday only be an after-image if we close our eyes at the most critical moment and do not act to protect it. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This series highlights animals that play critical roles in our ecoysystem, yet are so often undervalued: ants, squirrels, bats, snakes, turkey vulchers & opossums. Pricing is undervalued to reflect society’s view of the subject matter.

Unless we protect our world, these animals may be nothing but “after-images” – what you see when you close your eyes after staring at something bright.

Purchase prints here.

This series highlights animals that play critical roles in our ecoysystem, yet are so often undervalued: ants, squirrels, bats, snakes, turkey vulchers & opossums. Pricing is undervalued to reflect society’s view of the subject matter.

Unless we protect our world, these animals may be nothing but “after-images” – what you see when you close your eyes after staring at something bright. Purchase prints here.

This series highlights animals that play critical roles in our ecoysystem, yet are so often undervalued: ants, squirrels, bats, snakes, turkey vulchers & opossums. Pricing is undervalued to reflect society’s view of the subject matter.

Unless we protect our world, these animals may be nothing but “after-images” – what you see when you close your eyes after staring at something bright. Purchase prints here.

Based on my brother Scott Dickerson's photo of a bee on a mint blossom in his backyard. This is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

The latest info on our bee and pollinator situation: 
http://www.newsweek.com/40-percent-bees-and-butterflies-fac…

Please sign this petition to ban neoinsecticides in the U.S., as the EU has so wisely done.

http://act.credoaction.com/sign/eu_ban

If you'd like to collaborate on the next piece in this series or have a suggestion for what the next painting should highlight, I'd love to hear from you! Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! 

I decided the tree frog who visited us one night was asking me to paint his portrait. After all, did you know that frogs are going through a mass extinction due to climate change and habitat loss? No wonder this little guy was asking for help.

Please be kind to frogs & find out more about their situation here: http://ecowatch.com/2015/10/07/frog-mass-extinction/ 

Purchase prints here.

These Atala-themed pieces are a part of my After-image Series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an “after-image” if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Inspired by the unfortunate Florida Black Bear hunt, this piece poses the question: "Which is more important in our society – financial gain or the environment?" The painting can be turned either way, much like the answer to the question. This piece was featured in the article "Remember Me" on RedFlag.org. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This limited edition series was created for Inspiration Pollination, to connect the public with the current plight of pollinators. This particular poster was featured in The Huffington Post.

This limited edition series was created for Inspiration Pollination, to connect the public with the current plight of pollinators. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This limited edition series was created for Inspiration Pollination, to connect the public with the current plight of pollinators. 

This limited edition series was created for Inspiration Pollination, to connect the public with the current plight of pollinators. 

This limited edition series was created for Inspiration Pollination, to connect the public with the current plight of pollinators. The shadows of each pollinator reflect the food each pollinates. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This limited edition series was created for Inspiration Pollination, to connect the public with the current plight of pollinators. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This is the first of a series celebrating the relationships between pollinators and our food, some of which are unknown to the average consumer. Monarchs can pollinate marigolds, which can be used as companion plants to crops like peanuts to keep pests away organically. Peanut butter happens to be critical to several ice cream sandwich recipes. 

Bats get a bad rap thanks to Halloween, Dracula and other myths and legends. But without them, we may not have guacamole, chocolate or tequila. Brown bats can eat up to 1000 mosquitos an hour and more than 1300 species of bats are playing ecological roles that are vital to our health and economies. Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to purchase.

This commissioned Drone Honeybee is part of a series which forewarns that the beauty of our world may only survive as an "after-image" if we close our eyes at critical moments and do not act to protect it.

Please also join Inspiration Pollination on Facebook to use your work to help pollinators! Email oliva.portraits@gmail.com to commission a custom painting. Purchase prints here.

This is a collaboration with photographer Maria Font. Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing.

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing.

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing.

This is a collaboration with photographer Debra Gagne. Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing.

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing. 

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing. 

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing. 

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing. 

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing. 

Please email oliva.portraits@gmail.com for pricing.