The Washington lily is a remarkable flower, growing several feet tall with brilliant white and magenta flowers as large as a hand. It is native to Oregon and California, and is an early successional plant. This means it is one of the first plants to take hold after a wildfire, and may be seen growing among little more than ashes and stumps in a recent burn area. My first encounter with the Washington lily left a powerful impression, and I had just begun planning a painting of this species when a sudden and devastating series of wildfires ripped through central Oregon, consuming forests, homes, and lives. The symbolism of early successional plants seems especially prescient at such a moment: rebirth, regrowth, and a unique beauty that manifests only as a result of extremes. In this way plant communities are much like human ones. As the Washington lily blooms forth and the tendrils of smoke become unfurling fronds of new ferns, I want this painting to remind us of the breathtaking resilience that we and our fellow species are capable of.
I am a freelance illustrator from the mountain town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. In 2016 I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Illustration. I am currently located in Eugene, Oregon.
My upbringing in a wild space in the mountains has greatly influenced how I see the world and the art I create. A lifelong love for nature and animals has guided my work into the realm of conservation. My goal is to use artwork to engage the public in learning about what's going on in the natural world and what we can do ...
Share your favorite art on soft textured natural white stationery cards, archival-rated with beautiful color reproduction. Each folded card includes a natural white envelope perfect for mailing. Card dimensions are approximately 5.5" x 7.5".
