American Heartwood
Series is Growing, stay tuned...
6x12" pastel, practice sketch
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In this series, American Heartwood, I explore the delicate intersection of strength and fragility in nature through the medium of soft pastel. This collection of work showcases endangered trees native to North America, exploring their ecological and cultural importance with visual design cues that highlight the present environmental crisis. Each bold pastel mark is laid down not by chance; the formal design of each piece compels a deeper reflection on our relationship to, and responsibility for, the natural world.
The influence of Craftsman and Art Nouveau styles runs throughout the series, shaping not only the compositional approach but also the message. The Craftsman tradition’s emphasis on natural materials and harmonious design allows for visual elements that refer to uniquely beneficial qualities, such as: providing habitats to other species, suitability for lumber, fabric dyeing, and edible or medicinal qualities. Meanwhile, the organic lines and stylized patterns of Art Nouveau echo the flowing, intricate beauty of nature, contrasting the formal design elements with more organic detail of the leaves, branches, fruit, and bark. Ultimately, American Heartwood is an invitation to pause and consider what we would do for that which we value in this world. Whether you appreciate nature for its own sake, or for how it impacts your life, we have a collective role to play in ensuring its survival. Through color, texture, and design, I hope to awaken a sense of urgency about the perilous balance of the natural world, inspiring dialogue around conservation and the future of our forests. |
In this era of climate uncertainty, I want to ensure that the dangers threatening our native trees do not go unnoticed amidst all the noise. Our natural resources are something many take for granted. There is danger in complacency, and so I seek to banish it by shining a light through the canopy.
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Fraser Fir Fraser Fir are primarily found in the Appalachian Mountains above 4,000 feet. They are one of the most popular trees around Christmas time. Fraser fir has been used more times as the White House Christmas tree than any other kind. Unforunately, this tree's population is in decline due to climate change and the invasive balsam woolly adelgid. Seeds are being collected by the Center for Plant Conservation for gene preservation in the hopes that a future solution to the adelgid problem will be discovered. But climate change is still an ongoing threat. 18x36" soft pastel, 2025 |
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Butternut The framing around the image alludes to butternut's usage in furniture building, wood turning, and fabric dyeing, as well as their edible seeds that are well-loved by humans and animals alike. Did you know that the yellow-brown of early Confederate military uniforms during the Civil War comes from a dye made from butternut hulls? The later-used grey cloth was not readily available, and this was a homespun alternative. These trees are rapidly disappearing due to an invasive fungal disease called butternut canker. No control for the fungal disease exists and butternut trees have no natural defenses against it. 24x24" soft pastel, 2025 |
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Black Ash Native to eastern Canada and the northeastern US, the invasive emerald ash borer is decimating many types of ash trees at a rapid pace. The nearly black stem buds and inner bark give it the common name of black ash. Black ash easily tolerates bogs and swampy areas, along waterways, or in poorly drained areas that often are seasonally flooded. These trees are used by several North American frog and moth species as a critical food source. Black ash wood is highly flexible and readily separates into thin strips, making it useful in applications requiring bending. It has been used for barrel hoops and chair seats. Native American tradition prefers the wood for many functional items like canoes, axes, snowshoes, and (most notably) baskets. 18x36" soft pastel, 2025 |
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American Elm
The American Elm was well loved as an urban shade tree for its graceful canopy. It was the most popular tree to plant in the booming cities of the 19th century; many streets were lined only with elms to provide some much-needed shade in summer. Elm wood was used for barrel staves, trunk-slats, and hoop-poles, and became fundamental to the manufacture of wooden automobile bodies. It's tough fibers hold fasteners securely and resist splitting. The leaves are food for the larvae of a number of species of butterflies and moths. Sadly, for many years, the American elm has been vulnerable to a devastating pathogen called Dutch elm disease. The widespread planting of elms, while beautiful, illustrated the vulnerability of a monoculture to catastrophic downfall. A healthy ecosystem is one in which a variety of species thrive together. 24x24" soft pastel, 2025 |
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White Ash Native to eastern and central North America, the white ash is the traditional timber of choice for baseball bats and tool handles. The wood is also a favorite for making furniture and flooring, and has become a popular choice for solid electric guitar bodies. White ash is critical to North American frogs as a food source, as their falling leaves are particularly suitable for tadpoles to feed on in ponds, large puddles, and other sources of water nearby. In autumn, the trees turn anywhere from yellow to deep purple and maroon. White ash gets in name because, unlike other ash species, the lower sides of the leaves are lighter in color than their upper sides, lending it a pale look as the leaves flutter in the wind. The species is threatened by the emerald ash borer, and a fungal disease called Ash Rust, as well as other dangers. 18x36" soft pastel, 2025 |
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Green Ash
Coming soon!
Eastern Hemlock
Coming soon!
American Chestnut
Coming soon!
