Artist Lindsay Cordero animates America's nature reserves with her artwork
Lindsay "Bones" Cordero's art career has taken a unique and inspiring turn, focusing on marine conservation and the beauty of underwater ecosystems. This evolution, spanning over two decades, began in 2003 when Cordero started creating art inspired by her scuba dives.
Cordero, an environmental educator, artist, and author, has a passion for art that runs deep. She ran a commission-based fine arts business alongside her Air Force career, but it was her love for the ocean that truly captivated her. By 2017, while in Guam, she integrated her passions, creating art directly inspired by her scuba dives.
Her first major collection, a reflection of 21 years of self-discovery and inspired by her underwater experiences from 2003 to 2024, showcases her connection to marine environments. This body of work, which she refers to as being created during and motivated by her dives, reflects not only her artistic growth but also a commitment to marine conservation.
One of her most notable pieces is the National Public Lands Day (NPLD) logo, which she designed as a collage of paintings that represent diverse landscapes of the US. The artwork includes animal species that represent conservation stories, such as a Kemp's ridley turtle, a garibaldi fish, and a critically endangered dusky gopher frog. The logo features a crash-landing puffin, symbolizing the difference one person can make for endangered species.
The American alligator in Cordero's NPLD illustration symbolizes the intergenerational aspect of conservation and stewardship work. This theme is echoed in the momentum for Cordero's art career, which began building after a partnership with an athletic wear company and being featured in a documentary.
Cordero's art career took a significant leap in 2023 when she decided to become a full-time artist, feeling that her highest form of service would be through her art. Conservation is a main theme in her art, particularly marine sanctuaries and underwater habitats. She hopes to raise awareness and inspire curiosity about the underwater ecosystem through her art.
Cordero's NPLD illustration conveys the idea that humans are a part of nature, not apart from it, and encourages viewers to connect with the outdoors and build connections. More information about National Public Lands Day, including how to host or attend an event, can be found on NEEFusa.org/NPLD.
Cordero continues to release paintings and educational resources on her website (lindsaycordero.com) and can be followed on Instagram (@artebybones). Her success is evident in the success of her first picture book, released in 2022, and the anticipation for her next picture book, which will be released in late Fall 2025 and will focus on mycology and the North American Truffle Dog Championship.
Cordero's art career is a testament to the power of passion and dedication. Through her art, she continues to inspire and educate, raising awareness about the importance of conservation and the beauty of our world's oceans.
- Lindsay "Bones" Cordero's art, spanning over two decades, focuses on marine conservation, the beauty of underwater ecosystems, and making a difference for endangered species, as seen in her National Public Lands Day (NPLD) logo.
- Her NPLD logo is a collage of paintings that represent diverse landscapes of the US, featuring animal species representing conservation stories, such as a Kemp's ridley turtle, a garibaldi fish, and a critically endangered dusky gopher frog.
- Intergenerational conservation and stewardship are themes in Cordero's art, including the American alligator in her NPLD illustration, which symbolizes the continuity of this work across generations.
- By becoming a full-time artist in 2023, Cordero aims to use her art to raise awareness and inspire curiosity about underwater ecosystems, such as marine sanctuaries, and engage the public in environmental-science and lifestyle discussions focused on education-and-self-development through her website and Instagram.
