b'WhileattendinganartopeningaftermycollaborationwithJohnStobart,IsawJohnA.Ruthven,theworld-renownedwildlifepainterandwinnerofthe2004NationalMedaloftheArts.Iaskedhimtotoconsiderdoingacollaborationwithme.IwasthrilledwhenheacceptedandwedecidedthataboxdepictingtheinteriorofJohnAudubonsflatboatin1820wouldbeagreatvenue.IwasalwaysintriguedwithflatboatsandyearsagohadaddedaprintofBinghamsJollyFlatBoatmantomyantiqueprintcollection.JohnandIdecidedtoselecttheCarolinaParakeet,nowextinct,forthebox\'spainting.Tocreatethemodelofthebirdforthebox,IsoughtthehelpofBethFreemanKane,aninternationalminiaturistfromSouthAfrica.Allofushadaterrifictimeworkingtogethertocreate"Audubon\'sFlatboat".While attending an art opening after my collaboration with John Stobart, I saw John A. Ruthven, the world-renowned wildlife painter and winner of the 2004 National Medal of the Arts. I asked him to to consider doing a collaboration with me. I was thrilled when he accepted, and we decided that a box depicting the interior of John Audubons flatboat in 1820 would be a great venue. I was always intrigued with flatboats and years ago had added a print of Binghams Jolly Flat Boatman to my antique print collection. John and I decided to select the Carolina Parakeet, now extinct, for the boxs painting. To create the model of the bird for the box, I sought the help of Beth Freeman Kane, an international miniaturist from South Africa. All of us had a terrific time working together to create Audubons Flatboat.64'