Steve Sierigk
Originally from the metro NY area (southern Westchester County) I moved to upstate NY in the early 70’s to attend SUNY Binghamton with a focus on the biological sciences emphasizing Botany. In 1978 I moved to the Ithaca area to attend Cornell where I was enrolled as a graduate student in Entomology (fancy talk for one who studies bugs). I had taken many Scientific Illustration courses along the way. I made a portion of my living then by drawing detailed renditions of mosquito brains, moth genitalia and such.
At some point in the early 1980’s I cut my academic ties and became involved in trying my hand at farming and art. Although it was satisfying, the farming was just not paying the bills so I took my art more seriously. In this period before computer layout and design was common I made a living hand designing restaurant menus ( I am also a calligrapher), logos, wine and other food product labels. All along this time however I was developing a line of notecards and stationery products with my imagery. I called this fledgling company Acorn Designs.
As the 1980’s proceeded along my notecards were increasingly marketed across the country and became my primary business. By the late 1980’s I started inviting other artists to join in the Acorn line as I enjoyed the richness of the local art scene. Today Acorn has about 30 contributing artists from all parts of the country, but as I have the longest tenure with the company my designs are still a large part of the line. The common theme of all the artists is a respect for and a celebration of Nature.
I still enjoy being a contributing artist to our line and still even do some freelance work from time to time but my work at Acorn increasingly involves developing new products and working with other artists as well as getting the word out about us. It is always fun for me to put pen to paper as I am always amazed to see what the final product will be after spending an intensely focused period translating a 3-D image into pen or pencil work, attempting to capture some essence of a plant or creature. Enrapturing oneself into a piece of art and actively participating in it for hours, one seems to lose a sense of self and perhaps we do become a part of what we are drawing and develop a better understanding of the world.
Enjoy and appreciate the beauty around us!
www.acorndesigns.org
Products by Steve Sierigk
The following products include artwork and/or writing by Steve Sierigk. Most products are a collaboration of the wonderful artists and writers who have contributed to Acorn Designs over the years.
Showing 1–16 of 85 results
In ancient times the apple was regarded as a sacred fruit providing man with love, joy, and wisdom. The apple was a symbol of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love and wisdom (cut in half transversely an apple reveals the 5 point star of Aphrodite). In many myths and legends giving apples or an apple…
Read MoreIn ancient times the apple was regarded as a sacred fruit providing man with love, joy, and wisdom. The apple was a symbol of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, love and wisdom (cut in half transversely an apple reveals the 5 point star of Aphrodite). In many myths and legends giving apples or an apple…
Read MoreThe Atlantic Ridley, smallest of the sea turtles, ranges from the Gulf of Mexico to Nova Scotia and across Europe. Its only nesting beaches are on the Gulf of Mexico just north of Tampico. There, in a single day, as many as 40,000 nesting females have crowded the beach. This species is currently highly endangered…
Read MoreThe Atlantic Ridley, smallest of the sea turtles, ranges from the Gulf of Mexico to Nova Scotia and across Europe. Its only nesting beaches are on the Gulf of Mexico just north of Tampico. There, in a single day, as many as 40,000 nesting females have crowded the beach. This species is currently highly endangered…
Read MoreThe Bald Eagle is a magnificent, awe-inspiring bird of prey. Found only in North America, they are one of the worlds largest birds, having a body size ranging from 28 to 38 inches, with a wingspan of 6 to 7 feet. Eagles have long been considered powerful omens. Pacific coast tribes carved them into their…
Read MoreBeaver (Castor canadensis) Beavers are found throughout North America except the Southwest and Mexico. To beavers a pond is security… they are primarily aquatic. While swimming underwater, they have the ability to close their noses and ears as well as close a clear eyelid to protect their eyes from water and debris. The tail is…
Read MoreBeavers are found throughout North America except the Southwest and Mexico. To beavers, a pond is security as they are primarily aquatic. The tail is perhaps the beavers most distinguishing characteristic; broad and flat with blackish scales it serves as a rudder, sculling oar, and alarm-sounder when slapped on water. Beavers build well-engineered dams to…
Read MoreBeaver (Castor canadensis) Beavers are found throughout North America except the Southwest and Mexico. To beavers a pond is security… they are primarily aquatic. While swimming underwater, they have the ability to close their noses and ears as well as close a clear eyelid to protect their eyes from water and debris. The tail is…
Read MoreBeavers are found throughout North America. To beavers, a pond is security as they are primarily aquatic. The tail is perhaps the beaver’s most distinguishing characteristic; broad and flat with blackish scales it serves as a rudder, sculling oar, and alarm-sounder when slapped on water. Beavers build well-engineered dams to slow water flow in streams…
Read MoreBelted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Ranging over most of the United Stated and Canada as far north as Alaska, the kingfisher lives wherever there is water: seacoasts, brooks, creeks, lakes, ponds, or mountain streams. Kingfisher are one of the few birds where the female is more colorful than the male; she has rufous flanks and a…
Read MoreBelted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) Ranging over most of the United Stated and Canada as far north as Alaska, the kingfisher lives wherever there is water: seacoasts, brooks, creeks, lakes, ponds, or mountain streams. Kingfisher are one of the few birds where the female is more colorful than the male; she has rufous flanks and a…
Read MoreThe black bear has one of the most extensive ranges of any big animal on the North American continent. Many subspecies exist; color phases alone suggest numerous gene pools, varying from totally black to pure white. Their habitat in the East is primarily forests and swamps; in the West, forests and wooded mountains. This uniquely…
Read MoreThe black bear has one of the most extensive ranges of any big animal on the North American continent. Many subspecies exist; color phases alone suggest numerous gene pools, varying from totally black to pure white. Their habitat in the East is primarily forests and swamps; in the West, forests and wooded mountains. This uniquely…
Read MoreThe chickadee is an inquisitive , always-on-the-go little bird that inhabits deciduous and mixed deciduous-coniferous forests. Chickadees flit from branch to branch as they search for their food, primarily insect eggs and larvae; sometimes they hang upside-down, clinging to tiny twigs. They also enjoy seeds of conifers and a variety of wild fruit. They are…
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