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Fine art on a feather

By Mary Therese Biebel mbiebel@timesleader.com
Features Writer

A bluejay alights on a delicate branch.

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Lake Ariel artist Allen Crothamel uses tail feathers of turkeys, grouse and other birds to produce his outdoorsy art. This piece is one of many on exhibit at the Lackawanna College Environmental Institute near Moscow.

NIKO J. KALLIANIOTIS/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Charles Norella and his wife, Lucille, of Waymart, check out the feather art of Allen Crothamel during an opening reception for his exhibit at the Lackawanna College Environmental Institute.

NIKO J. KALLIANIOTIS photos/FOR THE TIMES LEADER

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Three puppies become fascinated with a wooden duck decoy.

A bear tugs on a tree branch, making it easier to reach the apples.

Lake Ariel artist Allen Crothamel notices such things when he’s outdoors, fishing and hunting, and commits the scene to memory, or to a quick sketch or photo.

Later, at his leisure, he’ll re-create the image with paint on — brace yourself — a tail feather from a turkey, grouse or other bird.

Tiny sponges and his fingertips help him apply the brilliant oranges and purples of a sunset, the ruby throat of a hummingbird or the black stripes of a tiger.

“It’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together,” he said.

An exhibit of Crothamel’s work is on display though Dec. 17 at the Lackawanna College Environmental Institute on the Moffat Estate, near Moscow in Covington Township, where last weekend’s opening reception attracted an appreciative crowd.

“He does beautiful work,” said Lucille Norella of Waverly.

“I love the sunset,” Peter Bilyk of Covington Township said.

Crothamel grew up in a series of towns as his father, a college professor, moved from place to place.

“I like to say I went to 13 schools before I graduated from West Scranton,” he said.

No matter where he lived, he always tried to spend as much time as possible out in the fresh air of forests and fields.

“Nature is a place to which we can retreat to find inner peace,” he said.

Over the years wildlife organizations ranging from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to Ducks Unlimited, Quail Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Ruffed Grouse Society and The Audubon Society have used Crothamel’s art to raise money.

That pleases the artist, who is also gratified that some of his pieces have made their way into the possession of celebrities such as former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw. Brokaw accepted a patriotic piece from Gino Merli of Peckville, the late Medal of Honor winner whom Brokaw interviewed for his book “The Greatest Generation.”

Crothamel also considers himself fortunate that he’s able to make a living doing something he loves, and he’s delighted his work gives him yet another reason to experience “the rejuvenating effects of nature.”

His fans say he re-creates natural scenes with stunning detail, but Crothamel himself says he can never hope to match the glories of, for example, a richly glowing sky.

“God’s the best artist,” he said. “You can’t capture a sunset, but you can try.”

IF YOU GO

What: “Feather Paintings” by Allen E. Crothamel

Where: Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, Moffat Estate, Route 435, Covington Township.

When: Exhibit hours vary. Call 842-1560.

To reach the artist: 937-4896.