August Payton is a Missoula-based painter, writer, photographer, and lover of all
creatures— especially birds. He sees birds as messengers, a perception that has only
further solidified during a recent period of immense loss. Time after time, during
periods of uncertainty or anxiety, a bird (or sixteen pelicans, in one case) has appeared
at the perfect moment, bringing with it a reminder that, in the great web of life and
death, we are all connected. A passed loved one peers out through the eyes of Great
Blue Heron. A beloved childhood pet sings from the mouth of a sparrow. A community
gathers in a flurry of crow feathers to mourn their dead and to celebrate the life
that remains.

August’s art captures these moments of deep connection with the natural world,
encouraging the viewer to pay closer attention to the patterns and signs in their own
lives. The more he gets his work in front of new eyes, the more people come to him with
stories of their own— moments when they, too, felt that a bird might have been more
than just a bird. August’s work is for nature enthusiasts, mourners, birders, ghost-
hunters, and everyone in between.
If August’s work speaks to you, he wants you to have it. Reach out to XX to inquire
about payment plans (or to tell a bird story!).

You can follow along with August’s latest endeavors on Instagram @augibirds