Sagan-Acrylic and Ink on Matte board

A while ago I heard about people blowing soapy bubbly paint onto surfaces to create texture, and thought I would give this technique a try. I’ve also been reading a lot about the cosmos, human perspective, and other texts you could file in the “blow your mind” genre. I feel like the texture of this piece references cosmic imagery with its texture and color. <3 Carl Sagan

Foxy! oil paintings

Seed Cabinet

Seeds can mean many things. Under the context of diversity, a seed can mean a unit of genetic wealth- a unit of possibility. This sculpture is a representation of the collection of that diversity. I made a paper cabinet- cabinets are modules typically used for storage- and covered the doors with illustrations of varieties of seeds in different phases of their life. The assembly of seeds and a storage module is mimicry of how ecosystems can store a similar collection of seeds in the tree canopy, the soil and understory, or even in the digestive tracks of animals.

The top left panel is a collection of varying seeds, while the right demonstrates a mono-collection. These contrasts are highlighted by electric candles that are placed behind the two drawings.

 

Growth Layers- Plastic and Acrylic on Wood

This series was inspired by the wonder of ecosystems (big surprise). I adore the explorations of different natural systems, and have found that they generally share the traits of having many phases, layers, and interconnections which are in constant motion. For this series I layered semi-transparent plastic on top of drawings to give the appearance of many layers on top of each other. In person these works sort of glow as the light is refracted by the layers and shimmering acrylics used. I’m very happy to line them up on my desk and look at them as I work.

 

Instructional Walk

Last summer I put together this fun little activity for a class called The Wanderer. This class, taught by Helen Reed and Hannah Jickling, enabled this Instructional Walk to be published in the PSU’s Vangaurd. I thought it might be interesting to apply this in other places so I’m making this available via the internet in hopes that you (the internet people) might do just that. Enjoy <3

Touch boxes

Touch Boxes

A Touch Box is a sculptural installation in urban spaces. This work seeks to reunite the city dweller with the gentle touch of the natural world through tactility.

The creation of this work starts with the object itself. This box contains several types of dried grasses that move when touched. These grasses move when touched, and replicate the experience of touching the top of grass when walking through a field. After the box is crafted, it is then installed in a high traffic urban space. The purpose of installing Touch Boxes in urban areas is to offer the act of a gentle touch to the passerby.

In an urban landscape the connection to ecological systems is lost and replaced with other materials, technologies, and patterns. I believe the loss of this connection to nature is of great detriment to human health. The touch box offers an opportunity for humans to reconnect, through touch, to an important aspect of our vitality by touching it and enjoying how it feels.

We humans can observe many instances where we touch the earth by extracting goods, contaminating, altering or destroying habitat, etc. I would like to counter that interaction by offering at least one alternative. Through this installation I hope to encourage people to considering touching the Earth and it’s many components in a friendlier way.

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Painting of my classmate Chris Rosneau- Oil on Canvas

Farm School Exhibition Today!

This summer I attended 6 Sunday classes at WUF. The course focused on place based education, and the history of the farm’s location and surrounding environment. Today we are having a show! The invite is as follows:

What Came Before?: A Farm School Exhibition

At Wealth Underground Farm

Sunday, September 18, 6–8pm

Please join us in Wealth Underground Farm’s new outdoor classroom for Farm School’s first exhibition.

The exhibition will feature content generated from the first Farm School intensive: What Came Before?  During the 6 week course, the class collectively explored what life was like on the Wealth Underground Farm property for the past 150 years and have synthesized this material into a large interactive timeline.

Seasonal hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided. Picnics are encouraged. 

Following the exhibition at 8pm sharp there will be an outdoor movie screening of the 1986 Stand By Me. Everyone is welcome to stay for the movie. Please bring a lawn chair or blanket, a flashlight, and some warmish cloths.

Sensory Buffet at Wealth Underground Farm

A few weeks ago I participated in a collaborative event with my summer school class called The Sensory Buffet. We created a myriad of works on Wealth Underground Farm that addressed the the 5 senses. We had drawings, an audio tour, a video, farm perfume, food made from the farms produce, and a touchbox, amongst other projects. Having class at the farm was excellent, and I loved our final event. People seemed to have a great time exploring all of our sensory works! Below is the flier that includes all of the class members/contributing creators accentuating our senses

 

From Home Zine

I recently finished a zine that has been a long time in the works. Initially I hoped to provide a variety of urban gardening tips and how-to’s, but the project evolved into a collection of suggestions on how to garden with sustainable methods. I interviewed a certified permaculture designer, and included sustainable concepts I have learned in my Environmental Sustainability curriculum at Portland State University. 27 Pages, All illustrations are done by me, and text is sited. Contact me for ordering information.

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