Other Information: In 2016, the families of David Herring and Jane Guinn, in consultation with the artist, began the process of selecting the second of two Ullberg pieces for public display in Rockport. Preening Heron is an abstracted bird form based upon the center tile of a 1992 bas relief triptic entitled Evolution. In that work, Ullberg charted the life cycle of his own creative voice moving from the abstract modernism of his art training through the natural realism of his mature works. Ullberg stated, “I’m delighted and honored to have a second sculpture at the beautiful Rockport Center for the Arts Sculpture Garden.  Like most of my work, it’s inspired by nature and appropriately in this case, by the rich wildlife of the Texas coast.”  Cast in stainless steel, Preening Heron keeps a watchful eye on Rockport Harbor and stands as an agreeable link between our Sculpture Garden's realistic and abstract works.