Artist Biography
From a young age, I realized how freeing it is to share the way one sees the world through art. My art draws upon my personal experiences of spending time outdoors during my childhood which built the foundation of my relationship with nature today. As someone who struggles with anxiety I use nature as a tool to ground myself in the chaos of everyday life. Integrating myself into the environment allows my senses to be awakened and my energy to calm. The beauty of nature forces me to slow down as I am humbled by its unwavering power. I am inspired by the colors, patterns, textures, and shapes that result from natural phenomena of earth’s annual cycle. This work, Magnifying Nature, shows eight round wooden panels painted with oil depicting macro details of nature across the seasons of the year. My work focuses on the innate emotional connection humans have to nature. I invite you to envision yourself in the environment each painting belongs in. What do you see? What do you smell? What do you hear? Meditate on the characteristics of each petal or leaf and acknowledge the privilege we have to enjoy the excellence this earth gives to us.
Thesis Abstract
The synthesis of art and nature provides substantial benefits to mental health and wellness, particularly in the area of anxiety management. Working with natural materials can provide calming benefits and promote anxiety reduction in a variety of populations. Nature provides a bountiful source of inspiration for art making and the creative process that deepens the connection of individuals to their natural environment. In order to explore art, nature, and anxiety reduction, eight round wooden panels were painted with oil depicting the macro details of nature across the seasons of the year. The paintings are meant to zoom in on the sensory experience through a small portal, visually capturing the feelings and sensations of the present moment. Reproducing images of nature may deepen one’s relationship with the natural environment by giving attention to the characteristics that might be overlooked. Noticing the details allows one to better attune to the feelings and sensations in the self. The role of nature attunement in art making for healing is discussed along with its limitations and future directions.