I was granted the opportunity to be an artist in residence at Watershed Studios in Galway Ireland for the autumn months of August-September of 2021. Prior to my departure, my work-maintained focus on pressing and adhering plant matter to paper. These abstract renderings of plant collage were created in relationship to my studies of Irish-Celtic mystery and mythology throughout the duration of the year. This exploration laid the foundation for my interest in combining ritualistic work in the land with my current and future creative endeavor’s. Being inspired by the earth art movement which emerged near the 1960’s, my work aspires to evolve towards impermanency thru installation and performance in nature. My goal remains to utilize gathered and foraged materials from nature only. This intention is in honor of maintaining conscious and impactful relationship with our environment.
The origin of my body of work titled ‘daughter of the earth’ became clear upon my arrival to the emerald isle. Each week I spend time with a new element, flowing in the sun-wise direction of the wheel thru air, fire, water and earth. Each day, I speak my purpose to the land and allow time for the elements to provide messages of aspirations. While my practice has not yet fully evolved to be impermanent and non-material, my time in Ireland allowed much space to meditate on why and how this may appear in actuality. This relationship with the environment beckons for strong-willed dedication. There is a visible shift in my work, while still being material, encompassing a larger array of natural mediums and applications.
Upon my return to the States I moved to a tiny house in the Rocky Mountains of Gunnison, Colorado. My goal now is to authentically attune with this land of my birth. Daily visitations and observations have proven to be the backbone of symbiotic co-creation with any given ecosystem.
I am delighted to extend an invitation for you to follow along my journey. Here you may bear witness to how this newly inspired practice of ritual-land-art will unfold.