Carel P. Brest van Kempen

A native Utahn, Carel Brest van Kempen (he/him) blends his two great passions, painting and ecology, to create work designed to spark awareness of the natural world. His works include a commissioned piece illustrating local ecological changes for the Utah State collection as well as several local murals. His paintings have been exhibited in the Smithsonian, the British Museum, and the National Museum of Taiwan. His solo exhibitions have been hosted by museums in 13 states. He’s received animal art’s top honor, the Society of Animal Artists Award of Excellence, an unsurpassed nine times, along with the Artists For Conservation Medal of Excellence, the Arts For The Parks Wildlife Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Animal Artists. He authored the book Rigor Vitae: Life Unyielding and is currently working on a comprehensive field guide to the birds of Utah.