I am interested in the concept of “nature” both within myself and what I observe from time spent outdoors- bee keeping, gardening or hiking. The idea of nature brings with it the complexities of how we interact with and view what is considered the “natural” world.  And now, perhaps, we are all more aware of the outdoors after our time finding refuge among the trees and fields during these times of heightened anxiety and uncertainty.

I like to use what is available to me such as leftover beeswax (from my beehives), wooden items, paint, and other natural materials (in this case fig branches). My investigation of material, form, and metaphor are shaped by 19^th century Romantic ideas of landscape- particularly the importance of humans living in harmony with nature. I wonder what this means as we have moved from a point in history of exploration and consumption to a point where we realize the necessity and fragility of each component of the natural world. Painted “quotes” (cropped from early American landscape paintings) are combined with objects.  The wax, wood, and paintings express the intricacies in the landscape, our relationship to the outdoors, and my respect for some of its smallest and most vital inhabitants- like pollinators such as bees.  I hope these artworks celebrate the beauty and mystery of nature while straddling concern for our place in it in the 21^st century.