Work in progress…

Miracles and mysteries unfold around us every moment, the genius of nature at work. Beyond what the eye can see lies a world of transformation, resilience, and wisdom. The imaginal cells within a caterpillar carry the blueprint for its future as a butterfly. As the old form dissolves in the chrysalis, these cells recognize one another, align, and work together to create something entirely new.

This process is both a biological marvel and a powerful metaphor. In a time of ecological and societal unraveling, it is more vital than ever to find those who operate on the same frequency, those committed to restoration, balance, and reciprocity with the natural world. Even amid collapse, this is the moment when imaginal cells awaken, quietly, steadily, carrying the blueprint of what’s to come. Biomimicry reminds us that nature holds the answers; plants and organisms are not only survivors but guides, showing us how to adapt, regenerate, and thrive.

This series explores the hidden transformations occurring in our environment, monarch and swallowtail chrysalises, the unseen forces of renewal, and the urgency of ecological preservation. As E.O. Wilson warned, “If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos.” Through art, I invite viewers to look closer, to honor the smallest of creatures, and to rethink our relationship with the land. Instead of asking what we can take, we must ask: What can we grow?

[This series is a work in progress. Inspired and learning from mother nature, Doug Tallamy, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Janine Benyus and the experts at the Biomimicry Institute.]

If you take the time to notice you may begin to see connections between various disparate forms in nature and how they can abstractly relate to our lives. A dried cactus skeleton or a piece of spalted wood share this weblike pattern which could be thought of as an explorer’s map of the convoluted path of our life. Life is not a straight line between two points and we often find ourselves at a crossroads or even a dead end but it is important to remember that it is this tangle of decisions that makes life and this natural pattern interesting and enjoyable.

With so many opportunities and choices in life, it is very difficult to pick a path and stick to it. After enjoying years of capricious travel and re-locations, my perspective has been shifted and I’m now ready to leave my nomadic ways behind. I’m approaching this epiphany cautiously, though, and am finding a connection to barnacles who root down solidly, but at times to movable objects that are at the whim of the sea. I find life to be similar in that try as you may to actively control your path, you too can find yourself guided by the ebb and flow of the tides.

The Barnacle Cuff is a representation of my Away We Go eggshell mosaic. The cuff is a cropped section of a photo I took of the mosaic then hand etched and shaped on brass.

“Wallpaper” is a dialogue between the artist and interior designer within me. My passion to use natural and re-purposed materials speaks to the renewed interest in returning to the land and how it has influenced the current design trends. The texture of the placed eggshells evoke a similar soulfulness to that of peeling paint and it’s link to the history of a place. Playing off the idea of “weather” chipping away paint, the eggshell pattern reveals a natural motif reminiscent of vintage wallpaper. The combination of these elements conjure up feelings of nostalgia from childhood memories and are the material language of contemporary lifestyle choices.

“Wallpaper” is a dialogue between the artist and interior designer within me. My passion to use natural and repurposed materials speaks to the renewed interest in returning to the land and how it has influenced the current design trends. The texture of the placed eggshells evoke a similar soulfulness to that of peeling paint and it’s link to the history of a place. Playing off the idea of “weather” chipping away paint, the eggshell pattern reveals a natural motif reminiscent of vintage wallpaper. The combination of these elements conjure up feelings of nostalgia from childhood memories and are the material language of contemporary lifestyle choices.

With so many opportunities and choices in life, it is very difficult to pick a path and stick to it. After enjoying years of capricious travel and re-locations, my perspective has been shifted and I’m now ready to leave my nomadic ways behind. I’m approaching this epiphany cautiously, though, and am finding a connection to barnacles who root down solidly, but at times to movable objects that are at the whim of the sea. I find life to be similar in that try as you may to actively control your path, you too can find yourself guided by the ebb and flow of the tides.

To my surprise, I found a wooden “swing” washed up on shore. A swing (pendulum) is a great reminder of life’s ebb and flow / highs and lows and everything in between. Life is about balance and how you accept those extremes based on your attitude. Barnacles hold on for the ride despite any circumstance.

“Barcodes” that scanned my life on the road while wandering through South America for six months. Each painting represents a country I explored while each sliver represents an experience within that country. PRESS

Watercolor illustrations drawn for Edible Vineyard (publication) and for Vineyard Gardens Nursery and Landscaping on Martha’s Vineyard. These drawings are incorporated into Edible Vineyard’s articles and Vineyard Gardens website, advertisements, posters and signage.