Andrew Blaurock: Preserving Nature Through Art

The 11-year-old student from the Progressive School has a solo exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Museum.
By Drew Moss  Andrew Blaurock: Preserving Nature Through Art | Merrick, NY Patch

For Andrew Blaurock, the magic started on his Magna Doodle.

As a two-year-old toddler, the now 11-year-old artist from Merrick’s Progressive School of Long Island by way of Wantagh, started drawing and sketching animals on the renowned kid’s toy. Right away Andrew’s parents, Artie and Darlene Blaurock–herself an art teacher at Kings Park High School–could see immediately that something special was happening.

“Darlene started noticing that Andrew would draw in perspective and use foreshortening skills that were never taught to him,” Artie Blaurock said. “He would draw things the way he saw them.”

Those early advanced leanings took Andrew through two solo art exhibits before he reached age 6 and have led him to his present solo exhibit at the Long Island Children’s Art Museum in Garden City.

Andrew’s exhibit, “Endangered, Extinct, Enough!” is on display at the museum through Sunday, Sept. 12.

“Endangered, Extinct, Enough!” displays Andrew’s prodigious skills as a painter and sketch artist, but more importantly, it displays his passion for nature, endangered and extinct wildlife and the environment.

“Andrew’s passion for ‘preserving’ extinct and endangered animals through his artwork is inspiring,” LICM Exhibit Director Erik Schurink said.  “His fascination with the history of extinct animals has sadly become a ‘current event’ topic. We are delighted to welcome back a young artist who is turning interest into action and inspiring others to help preserve our fragile planet.”

Perhaps the most compelling creative aspect of Andrew’s work is his range. While the focus of his current exhibit might be solely wildlife, his use of materials and tone is more varied and compelling.

The juxtaposition of minimalist black and white in the haunting and austere “Broad Billed Parrot” against the thick, primary, detailed expose of underwater life in “Gulf Coast Sealife” hints at a sophistication in Andrew’s choices that speaks to potential growth in his future work.

Andrew knows that he will always be an artist and that animals will always be his subjects. He knows that he will take his creative relationship with nature further as he gets older.

“I want to be an entomologist, herpetologist or scorpiologist,” Andrew said.  “I love to watch Animal Planet. Steve Irwin inspired me a lot to always treat nature with respect no matter how mean or dangerous it is.”

Andrew’s parents are very aware that his acute artistic interests can be all absorbing. They take great care to make sure that Andrew has balance in his life, with a diversity of interests and activities.

“Andrew loves his school,” Artie Blaurock said.  “He plays with his neighborhood friends and friends from school, but he also loves tennis and swimming. He also cares for a variety of pets that he owns including chameleons, frogs, fish, snakes, praying mantises, birds and a dog.”

It can be a heavy load for anyone, let alone an 11-year-old boy. But with a full life, a strong support system, a fusion to his talent and a clear vision of where he wants to go–all Andrew Blaurock need do is follow his bliss.

“We know that whatever Andrew does, he will put his heart and soul into it,” said Artie. “Whatever the future brings for him, you can be sure that all of us–his mom, brother Matthew, sister Carissa and myself–will be proud of him.”