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During the first week of my residency at IU when I wasn’t exploring the city, University, art, museums, ecology, architecture, and landscapes I was experimenting with labyrinth designs.
Some sketches of three different types of kabyrintgs.
This design starts with a simple cross. I need to keep this simple.
Turning the cross/square labyrinth upside down I decided to attempted a seed labyrinth. I think a design less feminine will be better.
Living the Dream as an Artist in Residence at Indiana University!
I couldn't believe my luck when I was offered the opportunity to be an artist in residence at Indiana University. Not only would I have access to all the incredible resources and opportunities of a renowned research university, but it could provide the opportunity to fulfill one of my monumental artistic visions.
As part of my two month residency, I'll be giving artist talks, exploring local artist studios, landscapes of southern Indiana, and creating a special piece to be exhibited at the University or in the beautiful town of Bloomington.
During my interview for the residency, I couldn't help but ask about the size of the campus. And just as I suspected, it is massive. I imagined it with expansive fields of turfgrass. I remember feeling my heart swelling with excitement and hope. Could Indiana University be the site for the monumental installation I dream of?
Let me explain - This summer seeing CARBONsink develop within Symbiosis at Lawndale Art Center and watching the community enjoy entering it made me think. I wondered if the CARBONsink relief was a step to create a larger piece using the same process but with a deeper meaning and making a bigger impact. A little bit of research regarding Greek philosophers and labyrinths and these thoughts turned into a dream. I have a vision of completing a living labyrinth.
I began studying the designs, meanings and histories of mazes and labyrinths. I was lured by labyrinths pretty fast. Mazes are puzzles and meant to confuse you. Labyrinths check all ny boxes.
-A labyrinth is a meditation. —
-There is 1 way in and 1 way out. What seems like the end is also the beginning. It is the perfect metaphor for inspiring ecological - societal perspectives.
-As an artist whose work in the simplest form looks at time and movement a labyrinth is a logical and interesting medium.
-A living labyrinth to convert fields of turfgrass into a living sculpture to regenrrate life.
Typically in an artist in residency one would take some time getting to know the University and the City before propsing their work. I could not contain my excitement so asked if the University would be interested in a site specific living labyrinth? It would be a social sculpture in the form of a relief that demonstrates the steps for turning the largest crop in the US - turf grass into the largest CARBON sink in the US. Ed the Associate Vice Provost for Arts and Humanities responded with great enthusiasm in his voice. Every summer the University and the city of Bloomington celebrate the life and writings of Kurt Vonnegut with the Granfalloon Festival. A living labyrinth would be a fitting art installation in conjunction with the festival.
For inspiration on my drive to Bloomington, I listened to Cat’s Cradle and Slaughter House Five.
I am still at IU busy working out the details of an installation. I start each morning reading/researching as I enjoy my coffee. I found this article alarming and inspiring. Climate Change Is Speeding Toward Catastrophe. The NextDecade Is Crucial, U.N. Panel Says.
Working out an idea for a future work.
1.5 - sketch for TOAST
Myy work is about the ecological solutions in urban landscapes. What solutions can I unearth in food, toast, char? - time to ponder and ruminate. Stay tuned.
It is Labor Day weekend, so I have time to relax and experience the IU campus landscape.
Natural landscapes on college campuses are rare finds. Dunn’s Woods is a veritable gem of Indiana University’s “Woodland Campus.” The iconic Sample Gates are a portrayal to the cycle of life and rebirth in the urban woods/ college campus.
This rare and sacred space unveils the harmonious dance between sun-kissed leaves, rustling branches, and fertile soil. The emerald foliage, gently illuminated by the celestial glow, gracefully surrenders from sky to earth, transforming into nourishing sustenance for woodland creatures and retaining rains, dew and moisture.
Sun’s energy is transferred to Earth in the shape of sun crisp leaves, the main ingredient of Earth’s soil sponge and the planet’s digestive system.
Peck + Scratch Installation
Eight chickens and two roosters were installed in Symbiosis, April 1, 2023, from 11:00-5:00
There's more than eggs when it comes to urban chickens. Peck and Scratch is a throwback to when every family had a symbiotic relationship with these quirky feathered friends. It was common knowledge that chickens are miraculous energy transformers; they effortlessly clean up weeds and bugs from living soil while providing families with a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to chemical pesticides and herbicides. Plus, their waste is invaluable - it replenishes the soil with much-needed nutrients for plants to thrive. In addition, the protein-packed eggs they lay contain all the amino acids necessary for promoting brain health for early childhood development.
By offering a cozy environment, refreshing water, and a lush habitat, we're showing gratitude towards our curious and joyful friends and providing them a safe home away from potential harm. Instead of supporting factory farms, our chickens deserve to thrive in an ecosystem filled with living soil and all the essential components they need to lead happy, healthy lives.
It's time to think outside the (takeout) box and invest in the power of urban chickens.
As a social sculpture artist, I'm passionate about how our civilization interacts with the land. Despite our advances in technology, something just isn't right. I'm always searching for inspiration to inspire nurturing abundance of life in our landscapes. However, our current landscape practices, with overly groomed flowerless shrubs and chemical inputs, are far from desirable. Recently, I stumbled upon a book called "When Violence Is The Answer" lying in the street, dirty, torn, and rain-soaked. Although the word "violence" is harsh, the analogy of violent treatment of humans to our current landscape practices is thought-provoking and valid. The artistic possibilities are limitless on this journey of ecological awareness and expression. Should I incorporate it into a sculpture or read it?
“The Baby Whisperer” 30” X 44” watercolor monotype Horses are truly a marvel of sensitivity and emotion. My daughter-in-law recently visited a stable where she used to ride, and while my son shoveled manure for their garden, she had a beautiful moment with one of the mares. Even though she had never ridden that particular horse, it became clear that the horse had been affected by its owner’s recent pregnancy. This experience reminded me that wildlife deserves much more credit than we often give them.
This observation also underlines how crucial it is to build connections with all creatures in order to restore and maintain a healthy ecosystem. I want to express my gratitude to Griffin and Alex for providing a stunning photo that inspired me to reflect on these profound ideas. They continue to motivate me each and every day.
A few weeks later I created two more pieces. One for my daughter-in-law's parents and one for my son.
Baby Whisperer I
Watercolor monotype 30” X44”
Baby Whisperer I ghost print
Watercolor monotype 30” X44”
Baby Whisperer II
Watercolor monotype 30” X44”
Baby Whisperer II ghost print
Watercolor monotype 30” X44”
Cooling the planet is about water. I can not count how many times I have listened to this Youtube.
“Carbon by the Yard” was a temporary relief in the shape of the Carbon element symbol, “C”. This simple gesture brought attention to the fact that gas lawnmowers emit eleven times the emissions of a new car.
Carbon by The Yard
In 2022, I transformed “Carbon by the Yard” piece into “CARBONsink ” using solarization and regeneration instead of herbicides to transform the turfgrass into biology. I then seeded it with wildflowers. The new piece soaks up rainwater, stores carbon and supports pollinators.
It is important to note that the EPA estimated that non-native turfgrass monocrops use one-third of all public water. In the US, this translates to 9 billion gallons of water daily.
These two social sculptures highlight how our colonial landscape decisions impact our carbon footprints.
CARBONsink 6/8/2023
DIY- check out the steps to install your own CARBONsink.
Soak the ground.
Use the power of water in conducting heat into the plot. Proper hydration will pull heat from the surface deeper into the soil, enhancing the effectiveness of solarization.
Cover the soaked turf with two layers of cardboard. This will smother the turf grass and use the suns energy to solarize it.
Soak the cardboard layer
Layer 4”- 6” leaf mold compost. I use Nature’s Way Resources and Heirlooms.
Spread the compost evenly .
Soak the compost , and level it for sprinkling the seeds.
Sprinkle seeds generously.
The seeds come from Native American Seeds.
Make sure the seeds make good solid contact with the ground. Press them in.
April 2023
June 8,2023
July 29, 2023
I am filled with humbleness and gratitude for all those who supported my artwork 'Contemplation'. What a proud moment it was to see the piece receive the People's Choice Award at such an important event. I could not have asked for more as this donation went on in support of restoring Texas White House, and now that it has been sold - 100% of its proceeds will go towards furthering this cause! It truly fills me with joy knowing how meaningful art can be when we look back into our state’s history.
After the award was handed out, it found its way to one of Johnson's daughters. In support for preserving Texas history, I decided to donate all earnings from that sale towards restoring The White House - a gem located here in our Lone Star state! It has been my honor and privilege to take part in protecting this treasured landmark over time.
Since the beginning of my artistic journey, I have consistently explored elements of time and movement within both two-dimensional and three-dimensional works. With "Hairy Clover," an element in Symbiosis this exploration takes on another layer of complexity - exploring how the water cycle creates motion that stores carbon, ultimately building the planet's energy.
Marsilea species are an extraordinary group of ferns, displaying a fascinating phenomenon known as nyctinasty - the daily movement of leaf orientation. During daylight hours they reach out to capture sunrays and then at night fold inwards into vertical positions due to pulvinus joints located towards the base of each stalk which adjust based on water flow into motor cells. This adaptation ensures that these plants remain attuned with their environment by regulating transpiration through stomata opening and closing cycles - remarkable!
I have read that this Texas native is endangered in many states. :(
Marsilea vestita, southern water fern
8” X 8”
Ink
Goldenrod is more than just a weed- it’s the ethereal string section in natures visual symphony capturing the eye with its undulating dance.
From late summer to early fall, these radiant yellow spikes flourishe in roadside ditches and fields. As winter moves in their color fades to dark shadows against winters gray sky.
The sturdy stalks provide shelter from icy winds so precious birds can rest through cold days ahead as Goldenrods' undulation brings joy throughout all seasons instead!
I'm still struck by goldenrod's graceful dance on even the slightest breeze. It truly is a remarkable sight that gives me much joy throughout all seasons.
“When we hear his call we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution. He is the symbol of our untamable past, of that incredible sweep of millennia which underlies and conditions the daily affairs of birds and men.”
– Aldo Leopold on the call of the sandhill crane
During my Christmas day stroll with family and Tobi, I came across a crumbling old stump harboring an exquisite feathered creature. The majestic bird looked to be either a Whooping Crane or Sandhill crane - the two largest birds of North America.
While North America has many struggling ecosystems, it's so important that we remember the stories of hope and recovery too. The Sandhill crane is one such story - once endangered, their numbers have rebounded thanks to determined humans working to save them. Getting to know these creatures better can only inspire more hope for future environmental recoveries. I'm looking forward to learning more about the whooping cranes on my trip south this February with Curtis. If you know any other inspiring stories of environmental recovery please share them with me?
As found on Christmas day with it's natural patina.
In my garage studio after giving the bark a little wash to highlight the movement in the wood.
Detail
We need these stories of recovery our society needs to believe we can do this.
My research into fast fashion for my bison sculpture’s new location in an old Forever 21 has me dreaming of a unique, symbolic sculpture for my latest social sculpture endeavor, Symbiosis Celebration. I searched the resale online sites for a used/vintage acrylic bag. A simple bag, sculptural in shape, that I would fill with the large bills and dead butterflies in the Eco-System piece in my 2022 portfolio. However, as I explored acrylic vintage bags and thought about how to intertwine fashion to elevate my Symbiosis Celebration work, an idea was born. I discovered the Hermes-designed clear acrylic tote that originated during the 1996 Paris terror attacks as a tribute piece and in response for the lives lost in that tragic event and the follow-up tote for the 1997 'Hermès Souvenir de l’Exposition. The underside reads ‘Un Voyage au Pays de Merveilles’, which translates to ‘A Trip to Wonderland’.
The trip to wonderland' is the inspiration for my new work - but with a new Anthropocene symbolism behind it.
I will wear the iconic clear vintage purse filled with drop-dead gorgeous dead butterflies and large bills to the Lawndale's upcoming brunch, where my living sculpture Symbiosis is and where my idea for urban eco-tourism was born; this recycled wonderland bag promises to draw attention with a new purpose and all thanks to its meaningful content and viral hashtag potential! When Symbiosis Celebration takes off, truly the world will transform into Wonderland the Hermes team dreamed of.
On a side note, my brief research into Hermes revealed they are and have been a leader in eco concious slow fashion.
Me in my closet deciding how and what to wear with the Hermes tote. Imagine it full of bills and butterflies. I could not decide whether to go minimalist or put my best fashion foot forward. So I decided to consult with one of my favorite edgy and fashion-forward textiles artist and fashionista, Loren Siems, and Houston’s Kick Pleat team.
Wish me luck.
At the event
Image by Laura Bolton.
At the event
Image by Laura Burlton
When maintaining “Symbiosis” and when I observe urban landscapes, I see the beauty in decaying plants and the tiny creatures they protect. This brown anole is a garden beneficial, keeping fire ants and other insects in check. Without camouflage, they are prey for birds, snakes, and some spiders. As an artist I find beauty through systems thinking and a balanced ecosystem.
Can you find him/her mimicking a dried, twisted leaf?
Tipping Point
36” X 24” X 36”
Bronze, Rebar and Concrete.
Our past actions formed the precarious state of our environment. What we do today shapes our future. This piece suggests a caring and protective relationship between natural systems and urban development has extraordinary potential. I believe the human species has the creative capability to make our cities lush and diverse carbon sinks. My work investigates these possibilities.
New World Giant Swallowtail and Milkweed and the health of Monarchs. This tropical mikweed HAS to be cut down November 1. The Milkweeds are the host plants for Monarchs. They need to move south by November and won’t head south if Tropical Milkweed is available as a host.
Monarch and Climbing Hempvine. Climbing Hempvine is an aromatic delight. It reminds me if warmed sweet honey. The Monarchs agree.
Purple Coneflower and the Gulf Fritillary Butterfly.
Mockingbirds and the fence. I have learned that birds need habitats with multiple elevations. The fence is a popular place for birds to look for insects and tiny toads to eat while keeping an eye on predators.
Monarch and Climbing Hempvine.
Ask upper of the Hesperiini family
Gulf fritillaryon American beauty berry.
GulfFritillary on Marsh fkeabane pictured below.
Marsh fleabane
Gulf fritillary and Lawndale’s mailbox. Over a few weeks the count in the doorway climbed to over 200.
In identified mushrooms.
Carpenter bee
Gukf Fritillary are eating everything
How nature arranges itself
Chrysalis on crabgrass stem
Morning glory, mile a minute vine.
Carpenter bee and Obedient flower
The White viened pipevinesis is the host plant for the Pipelvine swallowtails. I wish I had more. The caterpillars devoures it, and then it comes back.
Cloudless Sulphur and Turkscap
Hemiargus ceraunus, it blue ceraunus,an d pasted native plants.
Monarch and Blue mist flower
Northern Mocking bird perched on the fence.
Northern Mockingbird and trough pond
Hesperiina And Frogfruit
Pushfly and Passiflora leaf
True Sparrow stays in messy bush like spaces for safety and for a source of caterpillars
American snout butterfly
Gulf Fritillary with OE
“Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) is a debilitating protozoan parasite that infects monarchs. Infected adult monarchs harbor thousands or millions of microscopic OE spores on the outside of their bodies. When dormant spores are scattered onto eggs or milkweed leaves by infected adults, monarch larvae consume the spores, and these parasites then replicate inside the larvae and pupae. Monarchs with severe OE infections can fail to emerge successfully from their pupal stage, either because they become stuck or they are too weak
to fully expand their wings. Monarchs with mild OE infections can appear normal but live shorter lives and cannot fly was well as healthy monarchs.
Although recent research shows that tropical milkweed can lower OE replication within infected monarchs (due to high levels of cardenolide toxins), this might not benefit the monarch population. In
fact, this could actually promote disease spread by allowing moderately infected
I PROJECT MONARCH
HEALTH
monarchs that otherwise would have died quickly following eclosion to live longer and spread more parasite spores.“- monarch parasites.
Skipper and Pokeweed
Endangered bumble bee and Salvia
Coral honeysuckle and a native bee.
Mocking bird using an American Westeria vine as a lookout for insects to eatt.
Passiflora incarnate and carpenter bee.
Turkey tail mushrooms breakdown rotting trees recycling the nutrients.
Jumping spider
Pachodynerus erynnis, known generally as the red-marked pachodynerus or red and black mason wasp and Lantana camera. Lantanas are complex, I am not certain if this is a native to tropical US or an import. I think it is camara since I see beetles and wasps on it.
Clouded skipper on Lantana camara.
Common green June beetle and lantana camara.
Genus Pyrisitia minisa Yellow butterfly
Golden-reined Digger Wasp
Despite its vivid alarm coloration, the Great Golden Digger Wasp is not an aggressive species of wasp. They tend to mind their own business and can be found sipping on flower nectar during the summer, but in the early spring, females prepare to lay eggs.
Females will dig into loose soil and create many deep tunnels. When established, she then covers them to hide their existence. A female will track a small insect and sting them to paralyze them, but not to kill them. Once the prey is immobile, she will clutch it using her antennae and mandible (mouth parts) in order to fly it back to the tunnels. While in flight with her prey, it is not uncommon to see birds like robins or tanagers attempt to steal her meal from her by chasing her until she drops it. No other known species of Digger Wasp is known to be harassed by birds in this way. If the female is successful in returning to her tunnels with her catch, she will place the paralyzed prey aside to quickly inspect a tunnel. If it looks like it's still intact, she will pull the paralyzed insect, head first, down into it. She then lays an egg on the insect, exits the tunnel, and covers it over again. She repeats this process for each tunnel. Unlike other wasps, she does not actively defend her nest. Once hatched, the wasp larvae will feed on the living, yet immobile, insect until they are developed enough to leave the tunnel lair in the summer. Eventually, the parasitism of the paralyzed insect kills it.
Scientists are studying the behavior of this unique species. Great Golden Digger Wasps seem to display a type of internal programming. If their insect prey is moved away from the tunnel while the female inspects it, she will emerge, relocate it, bring it back to the tunnel entrance and start the inspection all over again. Every female exhibited the same repetitive 'start inspection again' behavior when tested in that way.
Females have also shown that they do not keep a tally of how many insects they catch versus how many tunnels they create. If some meals are stolen by birds, they do not realize that they are short on insects compared to tunnels.
With such gorgeous orange and black coloration, mild demeanor, and interesting behaviors, the Great Golden Digger Wasp is one to admire, not destroy. Perhaps a careful observer will discover even more fascinating things about this species.
Osmosia aglaia
30"X 44”
Watercolor and pastel monotyoe
Osmia aglaia is 1/10,000 bee species. It is a N. American west coast bee, and exceptional in pollinating raspberries and blackberries. I am sad to report they are currently studied for industrialization.
