Nowhere is the subtle balance of art and nature more richly demonstrated and keenly felt than in the dramatic paintings of Jacksonville, Florida native C. Ford Riley. Highly versatile and working equally well in watercolor, oil, and acrylic, Ford draws upon on-site observation and field research to weave visual tales of the outdoors. He has spent much of his life wandering the backwoods and byways of the South, studying the patterns of the seasons, the wildlife and their environment, maintaining journals, and documenting their habits and unique habitats. He has established a career and a loyal following from his love of the outdoors. Ford’s paintings, rich in detail and dramatic in color, reflect a deeply personal relationship with the world of nature. The relationship extends far beyond the edge of the canvas as he is an ardent conservationist who rallies on behalf of Florida wildlife and habitat. Riley’s studio is located along the banks of St. John’s River. It is nestled in the midst of four wooded acres covered with Ruella, wild azaleas, bracken, chain nettle, cinnamon and royal ferns, oak trees and magnolias. This area, along with the backwaters of Northeast Florida and his hunting properties in Georgia, keep him grounded and in touch with the land he loves to bring to life in his work. His work has been recognized from the White House to The Florida State Capital. He has been featured in national and international art exhibits, including Ducks Unlimited, the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, the Federal Duck Stamp Competition, and the Thomasville Plantation Wildlife Arts Festival. Ford and his wife, Elizabeth, divide their time between their homes in Jacksonville, Thomasville, and Hammock Beach.