Adam Nisbett

Adam Nisbett, the second of ten children, was born in Arlington, Texas. When he was two years old his family moved to a hundred-acre farm near St. James, Missouri. As a homeschooled child, he enjoyed having the freedom to roam through the pastures and woods where his favorite pastime was birdwatching. Adam also began drawing birds at an early age. His mother, Kim, who has a bachelor’s degree in art, started giving him formal art lessons when he was eight. Adam practiced sketching and painting the birds that came to the family’s feeder and pond. “I’ve just found that while I’m out watching the birds, it makes me want to paint what I’m seeing,” said Adam, “and then while I’m painting, it inspires me to want to go out and watch the real creation that God’s made.”

Adam’s combined interest in art and birds, especially waterfowl, led him to be a regular participant in the Federal Junior Duck Stamp Program sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He entered the duck stamp contest seven times and won first in his age group every year. Finally his efforts culminated in his winning First Place overall. The 2004-2005 Junior Duck Stamp featured his painting of two Fulvous Whistling Ducks that he raised himself. Adam also won the American Birding Association’s “Young Birder of the Year” competition in 2005, as well as an HSLDA art contest. He says, “I am constantly amazed at the beauty, intricacy, and perfection of the artistry that I observe in God’s creation. I am thankful to have been very blessed with the skill and opportunity to attempt to capture a portion of that beauty in my artwork.”

Besides birds and wildlife art, Adam’s other interests include reading, photography, graphic design, classical music, and history (especially Scottish and American). Adam says that homeschooling “taught me how to learn on my own. If I get interested in something and want to learn about it, all I need is just a good book on the subject and I’m ready to go.” Adam was homeschooled through high school, and he also became interested in robotics. He headed up several winning robotics teams, taking part in the First LEGO League and Botball competitions.

Adam’s father, Dr. J. Keith Nisbett, is the Associate Chair of Mechanical Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (previously known as the University of Missouri – Rolla until January 2008). Adam enrolled in the university and was able to take several of his dad’s classes. “I am also one of the few who enjoy Calculus, Physics, Circuits, etc. and I have often said that if I had the time and money, I would probably enjoy taking just about everything offered on campus.” Adam received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering with a focus on robotics at Missouri S&T. He is currently a research assistant and grad student working on his Ph.D. in Robotics at Georgia Tech.

Even though Adam’s college major is in the field of technology, in his spare time he still pursues his passions of birdwatching, art and photography. Adam says, “My favorite activity by far though is birdwatching and my artwork and photography are simply my way of trying to capture the beauty that I see as I am wandering around observing God’s creation.” Adam is active in the Audubon Society, has held several art shows at local nature centers, and is continually trying to improve his skills as a birder and an artist. Adam’s wildlife art can be seen at his website: www.adam-nisbett.com.

References:

http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/60/hshb6017.asp

http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/60/hshb6018.asp

http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps/junior/stamps/2004jrstamp.htm

http://news.mst.edu/2005/06/adam_nisbett_wins_wildlife_art.html

http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck/ – The Federal Junior Duck Stamp program is sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to support environmental education and teach youth about wildlife and wetlands. Every year, the pictorial stamp design is selected in a national art contest.