For centuries people have struggled to accurately forecast the weather. In modern societies, many individuals appear to be detached from the weather, yet our dependence on it is obvious when we consider severe storms, extreme temperatures, drought and other natural disasters. Over a period of 44 months and 26 days, I photographed different cloud types occurring in the atmosphere. These photos were taken daily, sometimes multiple times a day. This time-based study of the clouds was a way of investigating my personal relationship with the weather while grounding me in the present conditions of each photograph taken. Pausing to observe the sky and document it became a daily ritual. Of the thousands of photographs, some are easily identifiable as specific cloud types found in weather field guides, yet many others represent skies in various states of change. The transient states of the clouds are what became most fascinating to me over time. After all, the weather is always shifting, culminating, disappearing—changing.
Over the next 12 months and 5 days I began the process of grouping, identifying and editing the images captured. From this mass of photographs, I distilled it down to 27 representations of the most common cloud types that occur in the sky. I selected one image of each specific cloud type and transferred it into a wet plaster medium onto the shape of its corresponding international weather symbol. The act of transferring the images imbues each fresco surface with subtle variations making each object, like clouds- entirely unusual. The international weather symbols are used worldwide by maritime travelers navigating the sea and pilots navigating the sky, but their use is limited due to the sky’s constant states of flux. The power held in these symbols is transient and fleeting. Ultimately, this work indexes the unpredictable forces that dramatically affect all life on earth and invites you to take a closer and more frequent look at the sky above.
17" x 9.5" and 23" x 7" fresco (diptych), 2016
21" x 14" fresco, 2017
23" x 13.5" fresco, 2016
5" x 16", fresco, 2016
18" x 24" fresco, 2017
16" x 17" fresco, 2016
16.5" x 12" fresco, 2016
16.5" x 16" fresco, 2016
16" x 14.75 and 20.5" x 11" fresco (diptych), 2016
18" x 13" fresco, 2016
6" x 12" fresco, 2013
6" x 12" fresco, 2013
6"x 12" fresco, 2013
6" x 12" fresco, 2013
6" x 12" fresco, 2013
6" x 12" fresco, 2013
6" x 12" fresco, 2013
6" x 12" fresco, 2014
12" round fresco, 2013
12" round fresco, 2013
12" round fresco, 2013
12" round, fresco 2013
12" round fresco, 2013
12" round fresco, 2013
20" x 24" fresco, 2013
20" x 24" fresco, 2013
20" x 24" fresco, 2013
12" x 48" fresco, 2014
12" x 48" fresco, 2014
Invisible Landscapes calls attention to unnoticed terrestrial life forms while realizing new artificial ones. These works incorporate photographs and drawings of lichen specimens I have collected, identified, studied and donated to herbariums. Each composition is unplanned and grows spontaneously. Lichen, serves as a form of visual white noise that once noticed in nature appears to be living everywhere. These unassuming marvels occupy an estimated 8% of our terrestrial world and are capable of growing on glass, brick, metal, rock, branches and the occasional animal. Lichen defy rules, behave symbiotically and can live to be over 1000 years old. NASA recently took lichen to space and it survived the trek. Lichens are some of the most implausible but real species on our planet- illustrating how science can be stranger than fiction.
10" x 15" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
10" x 15" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
20" x 30" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
*purchased by the Spencer Museum of Art, 2018
10" x 15" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
30" x 20" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
15" x 10" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
30" x 20" cut photographs and watercolor, 2016
15" x 10" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
15" x 10" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
15" x 10" cut photographs and watercolor, 2016
10" x 15" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
10" x 15" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
20" x 30" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
10" x 15" cut photographs and watercolor, 2015
42" x 24" cut photographs, watercolor and graphite, 2016 (private commission)
40" x 22" cut photographs, watercolor and graphite, 2015
40" x 22" cut photographs, watercolor and graphite, 2015
40" x 22" cut photographs, watercolor and graphite, 2015
dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs for site-specific installation, 2013
dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs for site specific installation, 2013
dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs for site-specific installation, 2013
dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs for site-specific installation, 2013
11″ x 14″ watercolor, cut photographs and drawing, 2015
artwork featured in interview by Lucas Wetzel in Pavilionaires, Vol 1.3: Sarah Hearn
6" x 18", hand-cut photographs, drawing and watercolor, single page in larger accordion book, 2015
Below is a body of work about life deep within our oceans. The project An Unnatural History documents the (fictional) discovery of a taxonomy of marine organisms containing and cooperating with the elements from the periodic table. As science and technology progress, we are constantly faced with redefining, reinterpreting and reconfiguring what we thought we knew about the world around us and previous scientific “facts“ are revealed to have been constructed “beliefs“. Using multiple modes of representation, An Unnatural History draws attention to the real, the imagined and what it means to visualize biological life and phenomena that are often invisible to us at first glance. Many of the organisms in the catalog are real and many are fictional, but determining the status of each depicted is left up to the viewer to decipher.
Euplokamis crinitasm
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Pteriomorphia eludius
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Physophora torqueo
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Gallius culliube
4" x 5" RA-4 color print, 2010
Pteropodo trulla
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Jorunna funebris
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Bursatella leachii
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Pyrosoma anima
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Crossota adamas
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Pseudoceros subditus
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Hyalonema cobaltum
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Coryphella lineata
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Fabellina species
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Monostlifera species
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Baseodiscus dissimulo
RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Austrocochela constricta
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Murex brandaris
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Spurilla cuprum
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Hesperonoe adventor
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Xestospongia muta
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Pentacta anceps
4" x 5" color photogram, 2010
Pseudoceros bedfordi
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Halocynthia aurantium
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Polythoa pavos
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Eudistylia seussus
4" x 5" RA_4 color photogram, 2010
Nectopyramis thetis
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Pseudoceratina crassam
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Mastigias papua
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Pyrosome species
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Baseodiscus pinnia
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2009
Baseodiscus delineatus
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Aiptasia mutabilis
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Centrostephanus asidere
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Distaplia corolla
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
80" x 162", 118 photograms face-mounted to acrylic with vinyl text displayed on shelves, 2008-2010
Installation overview, SPAS Gallery, Rochester Institute of Technology.
80" x 162", 2008-2010
Installation view of 118 photograms face-mounted to acrylic with vinyl text displayed on shelves.
11" x 8.5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
55.4" x 26" Collection of 25 preserved specimens from an Unnatural History. Specimens, glass jars, light box, 2010
Installation view of the Philadelphia Experiment video, part of An Unnatural History, 2010.
A one of a kind, coptic bound book of research details, data and drawings for New Taxonomy.
Coryphella lineata
4" x 5" RA-4 color photogram, 2010
Out There is a large, ongoing body of work about space. The main project featured here is Astrobiological Futures, a science fiction account of the recently discovered TRAPPIST 7 planets. Located in the constellation Aquarius, these 7 planets orbit the ultra-cool red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1. These temperate and terrestrial exoplanets travel close in range to one another appearing as large moons in each others skies. This body of work includes representations of each planet and a series of specimens collected on three separate space missions. You are invited to join the discovery, suspend disbelief and get lost in the odd and unfolding narrative among these alien forms.
1.)View from TRAPPIST-1 of Planets h and g (top left panel); 2.)View from TRAPPIST-1 of Planet f (top right panel); 3.)View from TRAPPIST-1 of Space Dust (middle left panel); 4.)View from TRAPPIST-1 of planet e, (middle right panel); 5.)View from TRAPPIST-1 of Planets b, c, and d (bottom left panel); 6.) View from TRAPPIST-1 Surface (bottom right panel)
12” diameter, RA-4 color photograph, 2019
10” diameter, 4” deep, painted plaster, 2019
7” diameter, RA-4 color photograph, 2019
5” round, ink drawing on board, 2019
10” diameter, graphite drawing, 2019
16” diameter, RA-4 color photograph, 2019
6” diameter, 4” depth, painted plaster, 2019
5” diameter, gelatin silver photograph, 2019
4” diameter, RA-4 color Photograph, 2019
5” x 7” x 4” painted cast plaster, found cement and mirrored plexi, 2019
10” x 10” x 13” found cement,painted plaster and mirrored plexi, 2019
10” x 6” x 5” Terrestrial core of rock, dust and debris with bugling formation on top of specimen, painted plaster, wood and mirrored plexi, 2019
Small abundant formations of liquid, powder and rock comprised of unknown mineral compositions found on the most hostile part of the planet. 12” x 10” x 3” plaster, graphite and mirrored plexi, 2019.
dodecahedron and trigonal growths collected with beryllium ooze, 15” x 24” x 7”, plaster and mirrored plexi, 2019.
calcium containing compound, breaks off easily in large pelt-like hunks, 12” x 12” x 4”, plaster and mirrored plexi, 2019.
Light, porous sample with dense, hair-like mass that appears to be fossilized fibers. Note: hair-like apothecia mass was not disturbed by different chemical comopositions or atmospheric conditions. 6” x 5” x 3” plaster, felt, watercolor and mirrored plexi, 2019
Crumbly, chalky, dirt like matter found from shallow core sample of planet. Other attempted areas too dense to retrieve samples. Angular object appears to be made by intelligent life, found on excavation site. 10” x 10” x 12” plaster, graphite, black paint and mirrored plexi, 2019.
Rhombohedral masses found in jagged cave-like enclaves containing high concentration of sulfur. 10” x 12” x 9” plaster and mirrored plexi, 2019.
Everywhere documents and reveals invisible life forms inhabiting our planet. These visual studies include representations of bacteria, viruses, micro-algae, yeast, molds and archaea. Studies range from 2D collages of microbes and viruses, to Isolated Cultures, glass Petri dishes filled with felted microbial communities sitting atop color photograms, to portrait style watercolors of individual microbial species.
8” round mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
8” round mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
8” round mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2017
18” x 22” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
13” x 16” oval, mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2017
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
12” x 10” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
12” x 10” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
12” x 10” oval mixed medai collage framed in dome glass, 2018
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2017
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2017
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2017
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2018
10” x 12” oval mixed media collage framed in dome glass, 2017
These tiny sculptures are my personal response to the pandemic and a continuation of my study of the invisible life forms all around us. Each glass petri dish contains mini felted representations of microbial life including: bacteria, viruses, micro-algae, yeast, molds and archaea. The motley biomes sit atop one-of-a-kind darkroom photograms made from hand drawn negatives and recycled into new forms. All microbes are made from 100% hand-felted wool. Many layers of artistic life are contained inside each isolated culture—likely with traces of my personal biome that are not visible to either of us? So…let’s get personal! .
View watercolors of various species included in Petri dishes.
• 1 Aspergillus fumigatus (blue fungus)
• 1 Phlebiopsis crassa (purple fungus with red center)
• 3 Micrococcus luteus (yellow orange ball shapes)
• 2 Yersinia pestis Bubonic plague (green bacilli/ovoids)
• 2 Veillonella dispar (pink ball shape)
Culture base is photogram of drawing of Meiosis: Anaphase I
• 3 Micrococcus luteus (yellow orange ball shape)
• 1 Cladosporium sphaerosphermum (mold with green center and white ring) radiotrophic
• 1 Aureobasidium pullulans (pink mold) with Penicillium digitatum (cottony green center)
• 1 Ralstonia pickettii (magenta ovoid)
• 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae (periwinkle disc)
Culture base is image of nerve endings under a microscope
• 3 Thiomargarita namibiensis (large multicolored cocci balls) gram negative proteobacterium found in sediments of the continental shelf of Nambia (also known as the Sulphur Pearl.
Culture base is photogram of drawing, top view of a sea sponge
• 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae (periwinkle cocci-discs)
• 1 Micrococcus luteus (yellow orange ball shape)
• 1 Fusarium chlamydosporum (pink, green and white mold)
• 1 Rhizopus arrhizus (green blue and black fungus disc shape with hairy filaments)
Culture base is photogram of mitosis anaphase drawing
• 3 Kocuria Rosea (red ball shaped) bacteria
• 2 Microcystis aeruginosa (cobalt ball shaped)
• 1 Candida parapsilosis (pink, black and white yeast)
Culture base is a photogram of telophase, a process in cell division
• 1 Aspergillus flavus (green, white, pink, blue and black (fungus/mold)
• 3 Veillonella parvula (magenta ball shaped) bacteria
• 1 Escherichia coli (cobalt blue rod shape) bacteria
• 1 Pantoea agglomerans (yellow rod shaped) bacteria
• 1 Microcystis aeruginosa (cobalt ball shaped) bacteria
Culture base is C-print depicting the birth of a new star
• 2 Peltula richardsii (rock olives red and green)
• 1 Peltula richardsii rock olive green and magenta
• 2 Bacillus pumilus (turquoise bacilli)
• 3 Bacillus subtilis (orange small bacilli)
• 2 Pedicoccus damnous (cobalt blue ball shape)
• 1 Veillonella parvula (fuchsia ball shape)
Culture base is black and white photogram star map
• 3 Streptococcus pneumoniae (red ball shaped)
• 2 Bacillus clausii (yellow rod shaped)
• 2 Bacillus subtilis (orange rod shaped)
• 1 Hyphodiscus haemophilus (fungi with red, black and white)
• 1 Unidentified orange, black and magenta (hairy mold)
• 2 Staphylococcus capitis (sky blue ball shape)
• 1 Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (purple ball shape)
• 1 Streptococcus pneumoniae (magenta ball shape)
• 1 Coxiella burnetii (light orange rod shape)
• 1 Bacillus subtilis (dark orange rod shape)
• 1 Lactococcus lactis (bright green ovoid)
• 1 Staphylococcus epidermidis (yellow green ball shape)
• 1 Saccharomyces cerevisiae (lavender ovoid coccobacilli)
• 1 Saccharomyces boulardii (lilac ovoid)
• Bacillus clausii (tiny sky blue rod shape)
Culture base is a photogram from a drawing of human endothelial cells under microscope
• 3 Bacillus flexus (purple rod shape)
• 4 Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (orange ball shape)
• 3 red Kocuria rosea (red ball shape)
Culture base is photogram of ice
• 1 Stachybotrys chartum with Penicillium digitatum (green and black mold)
• 1 Candida frijolensis (peach and nude yeast species)
• 3 Escherichia coli (small turquoise bacilli)
• 1 Veillonella parvula (magenta cocci ball shape)
• 1 Brevabacillus breves (green bacilli)
Culture base is drawing of stardust on player piano reel printed in color darkroom
• 2 Aspergillus nidulans (green, blue and white mold)
• 1 Staphylococcus epidermidis (yellow green ball shape)
• 1 Staphylococcus capitis (sky blue ball shape)
• 1 Bacillus megaterium (purple rod shape)
Culture base is a photogram of a drawing of the inside of a eukaryotic cell on a player piano reel
9 panels, individual dimensions: 22” x 30” overall dimensions: 66” x 90,” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
22” x 30” gel pen on black paper, 2023
10” x 14” gel pen on black paper, 2023
10” x 14” gel pen on black paper, 2023
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2023
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2021
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2021
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2021
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2023
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2023
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2022
30” x 22” gel pen on black paper, 2022
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2021
14” x 10” gel pen on black paper, 2022
10” x 14” gel pen on black paper, 2023
10” x 14” gel pen on black paper, 2021
10” x 14” gel pen on black paper, 2021
10” x 14” watercolor, 2021
24” x 18” graphite drawing, 2020
12” x 16” graphite drawing, 2021
44" x 72" graphite, 2012-2015
This is a large scale drawing of different kinds of lichen morphing from one kind to another. The drawing began in 2012 as part of the Concept/OK Residency, and was completed in early 2015. Residency visitors were asked to select lichens to be included in the drawing.
11" x 14" graphite, 2014
Drawing features various lichens collected near Beavers Bend in McCurtain County, OK, Nov 1-3, 2013.
14" x 11" graphite, 2014
Drawing of specimen collected for Symbiotic Cooperation. Collecton site near West Yellowstone, MT, 8.25.11
These ongoing portraits of bacteria, mold, fungi, yeast, viruses and bacteriophages are done in conjunction with the research for Isolated Cultures.
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
8” x 8” watercolor, 2021
Site-specific installation of a space cave inside the Payne Gallery at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. The work includes 350 cast plaster rock and mineral shapes installed on the floor, wall and ceiling of the gallery with hand drawn animation projected on the surfaces of unidentified lifeforms growing slowly over time. Many of the plaster pieces were made in workshop collaborations with students from the collage. Dimensions variable, 2019.
Alternate view of the site-specific installation of a space cave inside the Payne Gallery at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. The work includes 350 cast plaster rock and mineral shapes installed on the floor, wall and ceiling of the gallery with hand drawn animation projected on the surfaces of unidentified lifeforms growing slowly over time. Many of the plaster pieces were made in workshop collaborations with students from the collage. Dimensions variable, 2019.
Urban Colonization: Colony 12, dimensions variable, cut photographs printed on vinyl, site-specific installation, Haverty Bridge at Union Station, summer 2015.
Urban Colonization was designed to draw attention to the hidden world of lichens while engaging the Kansas City public through art, science and participation. 12 artificial lichen colonies were hidden-in-plain-site at four partner locations: Mid-America Arts Alliance, Plug Projects, Union Station, and the Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center.
The public was provided with a mobile app and printed clue sheets to help locate the colonies. The first 100 people to locate all 12 colonies received an editioned photograph for their participation.
Urban Colonization: Colony 8, 9" x 7", cut photographs for site-specific installation, Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center, 2015
Colony Clue: Can you see the handwriting on the wall?
Urban Colonization: Colony 3, 15" x 23" hand-cut vinyl photographs for site-specific installation, at Mid-America Arts Alliance, summer 2015
Colony Clue: This architectural horizon has a bizarre fashion sense complete with ruffles, eyelashes, a bear and golden eyes.
Urban Colonization: Colony 12, 19" x 34" hand-cut vinyl photographs for site-specific installation at Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discover Center, summer 2015
Colony Clue: The kind of pixies and reindeer that inhabit Missouri aren't easy to see. They keep a low profile among the birds, squirrels, and flowers. Take in a 360 view to find the code.
Urban Colonization: Colony 6, 18" x 28" hand-cut vinyl photographs and led lights, for site-specific installation at Plug Projects, summer 2015
Urban Colonization: Colony 1, 18" x 28" hand-cut waterproof photographs, outdoor site-specific installation at Mid-America Arts Alliance, summer 2015.
Colony Clue: These shields of gray and green and just hanging out with a view of the First Friday scene.
Urban Colonization, Colony 11, 15" x 28" hand-cut vinyl photographs for site-specific installation at Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discover Center, summer 2015
Colony Clue: A foliose ruffle exploring new territory around a bend.
dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs, knitted wool and glue, site-specific installation made in collaboration with Leigh Martin for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: these dogs are found on the ground, but ruffles have crept up and around.
Colonization, Colony 3: dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs, site-specific installation made for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Colony Clue: We found a hidden niche where soldiers, pixies and reindeer cohabitate beautifully.
Colonization: Colony 5, 7" x 9", hand-cut photographs, site specific installation made for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: Adept in the art of camouflage, this lichen you ‘wood’ not see otherwise.
Colony details: dimensions variable, cut photographs printed on adhesive vinyl, site-specific installation made for Tributary at the Healthy Rivers Partnership, 2017.
lichens included in colony are specimens found along the Missouri river
Colonization: Colony 2, 8" x 26", hand-cut photographs, site specific installation made for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: Long, silvery-green, tendril like ruffles welcomes the public and ‘shields’ all those who enter.
Colonization: Colony 8 detail, dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs, knitted wool and glue, site-specific installation made in collaboration with Leigh Martin for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: these dogs are found on the ground, but ruffles have crept up and around.
dimensions variable, lichens, moss, fungus, data, roll paper, drawings and photographs, 2013
Symbiotic Cooperation was a residency, exhibition and project designed to investigate how humans can collaborate with, understand, and mimic small unassuming forms in nature- specifically lichen. Taking my cue from this collaborative gestalt, this project required public participation on multiple levels for it to grow and thrive.
A call for lichen was posted to encourage public participation. All who submitted samples received a work of art in exchange for the lichen. Ultimately 200 specimens from 13 states and 4 countries were catalogued. Upon receiving lichen samples, I publicly studied, photographed, drew and classified them to the best of my ability. Samples were cared for, preserved and added to a display of the lichen featured as the fulcrum of the exhibition and residency for Concept/OK. New specimens were accepted throughout the duration of the exhibition, allowing the collection to evolve and grow as new living material arrived.
Throughout the process Lichenologist, Sheila Strawn, PhD, offered guidance for species identification and care. The specimens collected were donated to University of Central Oklahoma (CSU) Herbarium.
20” x 32” hand-cut photographs on adhesive vinyl installed in upper SE corner of indoor public space, site specific lichen colony for “StART, Norman, Threshold The Promise Land, at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: This can be found hanging high above with a sunny disposition. They were named in Latin for a split-end appearance.
Colonization: Colony 8, dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs, knitted wool and glue, site-specific installation made in collaboration with Leigh Martin for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: these dogs are found on the ground, but ruffles have crept up and around.
Colonization, Colony 7: dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs, site-specific installation made for “StART, Norman, Threshold the Promise Land,” at the Norman Lumber Yard, 2014
Clue: These rosettes have Southern ‘ties’ to something other than lumber
Urban Colonization, Colony #8, 15" x 18" hand-cut vinyl photographs for site-specific installation, at Anita B. Gorman, summer 2015
Clue: This "strapping" lichen has an affinity for hanging out with coyotes.
Urban Colonization, Colony 7: dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs for site-specific Installation at Anita B. Gorman Discovery Conservation Center, summer 2015.
clue: after traveling to space, this species relocated to a place less extreme, but suspended between land and sky.
Urban Colonization: Colony 2, dimensions variable, hand-cut photographs for site-specific Installation at Mid-America Art Alliance, summer 2015.
Clue: They took a "poll" and determined the spots resembled the German measles.
Detail of Installation, dimensions variable, lichens, moss, fungus, data, roll paper, drawings and photographs, 2013
Symbiotic Cooperation was a residency, exhibition and project designed to investigate how humans can collaborate with, understand, and mimic small unassuming forms in nature- specifically lichen. Taking my cue from this collaborative gestalt, this project required public participation on multiple levels for it to grow and thrive.
A call for lichen was posted to encourage public participation. All who submitted samples received a work of art in exchange for the lichen. Ultimately 200 specimens from 13 states and 4 countries were catalogued. Upon receiving lichen samples, I studied, photographed, drew and classified them to the best of my ability. Samples were cared for, preserved and added to a display of the lichen featured as the fulcrum of the exhibition. New specimens were accepted throughout the course of the exhibition, allowing the collection to evolve and grow as new living material arrived.
Urban Colonization: Colony 1, 18" x 28" hand-cut waterproof photographs, outdoor site-specific installation at Mid-America Arts Alliance, summer 2015.
Colony Clue: These shields of gray and green and just hanging out with a view of the First Friday scene.
Natural Magic loosely chronicles different ways life germinates in the biological world. From seed and spore dispersal, to rapid cell growth of eukaryotic organisms, and the pulsing cilia needed to sustain them, to the slow growth of lichens and moss- life has a remarkable way of establishing itself on the planet; yet, most of these processes go unseen to the human eye.
running time: 3 min, 2016
The Colossal Squid is a sound installation meant to be experienced in a pitch black room. This brief experience submerges listeners deep below the ocean's surface for a close encounter with life of another kind.
running time: 2 min, 2010
The Philadelphia Experiment tells the story of a military experiment reported to have been carried out by the U.S. Navy at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1943.
running time: 3 min 41 sec, 2010
Meiosis is a playful silent video loosely inspired by the process of sexual cell division.
run time: 2 min, 2010
Cover, Lichen Study Guide for Oklahoma and the Surrounding States, Dr. Sheila Strawn, published by Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 2017.
In 2013 Dr. Sheila Strawn and I first collaborated on Symbiotic Cooperation. Throughout the project, she patiently helped identify over 200 specimens from 13 states and 4 countries with a concentration of specimens from Oklahoma. Upon our completion, Dr. Strawn determined more resources were needed on local level and began working on the study guide. I had the honor of creating the cover artwork and providing photographs for the book.
Back, Lichen Study Guide for Oklahoma and the Surrounding States, Dr. Sheila Strawn, published by Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 2017.
Lichens from top left to bottom right are:
Cladonia cristatella, Ramalina sp, Lichinella cribellifera, Teloschistes chryspothalmus and Parmotrema sp, Acaporaspora, Teloschistes exilis, Lichinella nigritella, Graphis scripta and Cladonia subtenuis.
dimensions variable, lichens, moss, fungus, data, roll paper, drawings and photographs, 2013
Symbiotic Cooperation was a residency, exhibition and project designed to investigate how humans can collaborate with, understand, and mimic small unassuming forms in nature- specifically lichen. Taking my cue from this collaborative gestalt, this project required public participation on multiple levels for it to grow and thrive.
A call for lichen was posted to encourage public participation. All who submitted samples received a work of art in exchange for the lichen. Ultimately 200 specimens from 13 states and 4 countries were catalogued. Upon receiving lichen samples, I studied, photographed, drew and classified them to the best of my ability. Samples were cared for, preserved and added to a display of the lichen featured as the fulcrum of the exhibition. New specimens were accepted throughout the course of the exhibition, allowing the collection to evolve and grow as new living material arrived.
Throughout the project, lichenologist, Sheila Strawn, PhD, offered guidance for species identification and care. Once completed, the specimens were donated to University of Central Oklahoma (CSU) Herbarium.
Lichen Field Guide for Oklahoma and Surrounding States cover artwork and 13 interior illustrations of lichen thallus descriptions.
Dr Sheila Strawn, Author, Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Publisher, 2021
Available at BRIT
Lichen Study Guide for Oklahoma and Surrounding States cover and back artwork and contributing specimens and photographs for the publication.
5" x 7" 2013
Weather Observations is a hand-bound, saddle stitch limited edition book featuring photographs of 24 different could types that occur in the atmosphere. The book was printed and bound by the artist in an edition of 16.
6" x 64" 2016
Long-Chain Lichen is a one-of-a-kind accordion möbius book made of mixed media collages of lichens real and imagined.