John Sill

John was born in the coastal plain of North Carolina in the small town of St. Pauls. He received a BS in wildlife biology from N.C. State University. John got his love of birds from his Aunt Della who had an abundant interest in all of creation. His father, a talented watercolor artist and an able naturalist, gave him instruction and encouraged him in his career.

John has worked as a freelance artist and illustrator since 1971. His art has been exhibited in highly acclaimed shows and appeared in a number of books and magazines. John has been the illustrator for the Bird Identification Calendar published by the Massachusetts Audubon Society since the project began in 1980. He is the instructor in the Field Sketching and Bird Illustration Workshop for the Institute for Field Ornithology sponsored by the American Birding Association. While the subjects of most of John’s work have been birds (both real and imagined), his illustrations for his wife Cathryn’s much awarded “About” series of children’s books have expanded his art to include other wildlife.

You can read more about John Sill and his work at his website www.johnsill.com

Products by John Sill

The following products include artwork and/or writing by John Sill. Most products are a collaboration of the wonderful artists and writers who have contributed to Acorn Designs over the years.

Showing 1–16 of 58 results

Artwork of American Oystercatcher standing with sandy dune in foreground on cover of Large Journal in Birch for Acorn Designs

American Oystercatcher Journal

$29.00

American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Chances are you’ll hear the noisy American oystercatcher before you see it, and once it catches your attention with its shrill Bleep? call, and flashy dark and light plumage, you’ll want to take a closer look. This comical shorebird flaunts a black head, brown and white body, long pink legs, heavy…

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Cover image - Barred Owl Mini Journal

Barred Owl Mini Journal

$8.50

The Barred Owl is a chunky, round-headed owl whose large, liquid brown eyes and lack of ear tufts distinguish it from other large owls. It ranges over much of North America east of the Rockies. Its name derives from the crosswise barring patterns on the breast and lengthwise streaking on the belly. Barred Owls prefer…

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Blue Jay Lokta Card Acorn Designs

Blue Jay Lokta Card

$5.00$8.00

The blue jay is a rowdy character; dominating bird feeders, raiding the nests of songbirds, and mobbing predators like cats, hawks and owls. But this noisy, bold, medium-sized bird also adds a flash of bright blue color to a cold winter day. Being in the Corvid family with crows, ravens and magpies, jays are known…

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Blue Jay artwork on a Small Journal in Birch for Acorn Designs

Blue Jay Small Journal

$20.00

The blue jay is a rowdy character—dominating bird feeders, raiding the nests of songbirds, and mobbing predators like cats, hawks and owls. But this noisy, bold, medium-sized bird also adds a flash of bright blue color to a cold winter day. Being in the Corvid family with crows, ravens and magpies, jays are known for…

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Bullfrog Lokta Card Acorn Designs

Bullfrog Lokta Card

$5.00$8.00

Bullfrogs are probably the most widely distributed amphibians in North America. They are found across most of the lower 48 states into Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Bullfrogs may reach up to 8 inches in length. Even the tadpoles are large; up to 5 inches long! Bullfrogs may remain in the tadpole stage for up to…

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Cover image - Bullfrog Mini Journal

Bullfrog Mini Journal

$8.50

Bullfrogs are probably the most widely distributed amphibians in North America. They may reach up to 8 inches in length. Even the tadpoles are large…up to five inches long! Bullfrogs may remain in the tadpole stage for up to two years. Bullfrogs live in permanent freshwater habitats such as ponds, rivers, lakes or marshes. Chorusing…

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Bullfrog Notecard Acorn Designs

Bullfrog Notecard

$3.00$24.00

Bullfrog (Rana catebeiana) Bullfrogs are probably the most widely distributed amphibians in North America. They are found across most of the lower 48 states into Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Originally, however, they were not native to the western U.S. Bullfrogs may reach up to 8 inches in length. Their overall coloration is green or grey-brown…

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Bullfrog artwork on a Small Journal in Birch for Acorn Designs

Bullfrog Small Journal

$20.00

Bullfrogs are probably the most widely distributed amphibians in North America. They are found across most of the lower 48 states into Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Originally, however, they were not native to the western U.S. Bullfrogs may reach up to 8 inches in length. Their overall coloration is green or grey-brown with brown spots.…

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California Condor Large Journal in Birch for Acorn Designs scaled

California Condor journal

$29.00

California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) Masters of air currents, California Condors majestically sailed the skies for thousands of years until the early 1900s, when their populations plummeted due to lead and pesticide poisoning, shooting and habitat loss. By 1983, only 22 survived in the wild. This prompted a controversial decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife…

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Condor Lokta Card Acorn Designs 1

California Condor Lokta Card

$5.00$8.00

Masters of air currents, California Condors majestically sailed the skies for thousands of years until the 1900’s when their populations plummeted due to lead and pesticide poisoning, shooting and habitat loss. By 1983 only 22 survived in the wild. This prompted a controversial decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring the last…

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California Condor artwork on a Small Journal in Oatmeal for Acorn Designs

California Condor Small Journal

$20.00

Masters of air currents, California Condors majestically sailed the skies for thousands of years until the 1900’s when their populations plummeted due to lead and pesticide poisoning, shooting and habitat loss. By 1983 only 22 survived in the wild. This prompted a controversial decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bring the last…

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Cardinal on Dogwood Large Journal in Birch for Acorn Designs scaled

Cardinal on Dogwood Journal

$29.00

Cardinal on Dogwood (Cardinalis cardinalis) These birds are named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic church with their bright red robes. With vivid red plumage and clear whistled songs, the cardinal is a backyard favorite. Cardinals add cheer to our winter landscape with their color as they often remain on their breeding territory year-round.…

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Cardinal on Dogwood Notecard Acorn Designs

Cardinal on Dogwood Notecard

$3.00$24.00

Cardinal on Dogwood (Cardinalis cardinalis) These birds are named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic church with their bright red robes. With vivid red plumage and clear whistled songs, the cardinal is a backyard favorite. Cardinals add cheer to our winter landscape with their color as they often remain on their breeding territory year-round.…

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Cardinal with Dogwood artwork on a Small Journal in Black for Acorn Designs

Cardinal on Dogwood Small Journal

$20.00

These birds are named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic church with their bright red robes. With vivid red plumage and clear whistled songs, the cardinal is a backyard favorite. Cardinals add cheer to our winter landscape with their color as they often remain on their breeding territory year-round. Cardinals are residents in the…

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Cardinal on Dogwood Lokta Card Acorn Designs

Cardinal with Dogwood Lokta Card

$5.00$8.00

These birds are named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic church with their bright red robes. With vivid red plumage and clear whistled songs, the cardinal is a backyard favorite. Cardinals add cheer to our winter landscape with their color as they often remain on their breeding territory year-round. Cardinals are residents in the…

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Cardinals Lokta Card Acorn Designs

Cardinals Lokta Card

$5.00$8.00

These birds are named for the cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church with their bright red robes. With vivid red plumage and clear whistled songs, the northern cardinal is a backyard favorite. Cardinals add cheer to our winter landscape with their color as they often remain on their breeding territory year-round. Cardinals are residents in…

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