Our Public Lands

Our public lands are true national gems that hold in trust land for public use such as hiking, camping, hunting and fishing, as well as other recreational purposes. These lands also protect some of the most important wilderness areas in the country and preserve sites of important historical events. These areas are frequently under threat from private interest groups, but never more so than our present time. When traveling, I go out of my way to visit public lands, enjoying peace and a spiritual respite from the modern world, components necessary to the creative process.

Detail: Teach Your Children Well

Our Public Lands Header: Canyon

Teach Your Children Well — Teach Your Children Well
Autobiographical in nature, this piece is an interpretation of the artist's very first visit to a National Park at age four, The Great Smokey Mountains National park, sparking a life long love of "America's Best Idea."

Canyon of Dreams — Canyon of Dreams
The immensity of The Grand Canyon as well as the Technicolor layering of geology representing eons of time easily lulls the viewer into a dream state of mind.

Absaroka Range — Absaroka Range
A trip to Yellowstone National Park has provided the artist with ongoing inspiration and creativity. Especially the majesty of the mountains, Yellowstone Lake and the starkness of the skeletons of Lodgepole Pines created as a result of wildfire.

Shiwawatiwa — Shiwawatiwa
Inspired by the photographic work of Edward S. Curtis and the indigenous peoples of The American Southwest, this piece captures both the spirit of the man and the soft light of this special place in the world.

Ghost Bear — Ghost Bear
Grizzly Bears have long been considered eradicated from the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. On a homeward bound flight following an artist residency, the artist noticed a tiny newspaper article alleging otherwise. Purportedly a hiker trekking in the area took a photograph of what he thought was a grizzly. Wildlife authorities were unable to authenticate the image, but validated that indeed,it did appear to be a Grizz. The article was entitled Ghost Bear and started the artist's creative juices flowing.

Yellowstone Sketchbook #1 - Yellowstone Lake — Yellowstone Sketchbook #1 – Yellowstone Lake
The first in a series of sketches, this piece reflects the quiet majesty of this immense inland lake nestled in the Yellowstone Caldera. Sulfuric steam rises, ghost like from the underwater vents.

Yellowstone Sketchbook #2 - Pond Relection — Yellowstone Sketchbook #2 – Pond Relection
The work of the beavers, these little ponds dot the Yellowstone landscape with their moss green banks and screen of Lodgepole Pines.

Oh Shenandoah — Oh Shenandoah
View from The Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, America's oldest mountain range.

Yellowstone Sketchbook #3 - Absaroka Range — Yellowstone Sketchbook #3 – Absaroka Range
The ever changing color of the sky constantly affects the atmosphere and ambiance of Yellowstone Lake and the mountains beyond. Can one really tire of beauty?

Wonderland — Wonderland
Wonderland is the fond nickname for Yellowstone National Park, and indeed it is a wonder. This textile interpretation of the view from Steamboat Point Overlook is heavily embellished with hand embroidery. As the artist learned to embroider sitting around the campfire during childhood camping trips, the piece hearkens back to the very roots of her art practice.

The Painted Desert Inn — The Painted Desert Inn
The Painted Desert Inn provide respite to travelers driving their automobiles along iconic Route 66. The artist inhabited an historic casita directly opposite the inn for two weeks during an artist residency in the spring of 2016. Vivid Southwestern skies made the Eagles' song Tequila Sunrise the perfect mood music for the duration of the stay.

Ohio Summer — Ohio Summer
During a visit to Cedar Bog near Urbana, Ohio the artist spied this majestic old oak across the parking lot, reminding her of the one very like it that grew across the field from the family farm.

Ocean of Trees — Ocean of Trees
A boat ride to Bull Island, part of the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, off the coast of South Carolina, rewards one with a forest of skeletal trees rising ghost-like from the ocean.

Howling Like Coyotes at the Naked Moon — Howling Like Coyotes at the Naked Moon
During a foggy morning drive the artist paused along the Hocking River near her home to capture this image. It was then printed on fabric and enhanced with colored pencils and hand embroidery.

A Good Time to Die — A Good Time to Die
General Custer was shocked to see over 2,000 tipis camped along The Little Bighorn in June 1876. Crazy horse, one of the warriors fighting for the survival of a way of life, is alleged to have stated, "Today is a good day to die," and many did. A visit to this National Battlefield piques the artist's imagination. What a sight this must have been to behold.

Along Plum Road - Carroll, Ohio — Along Plum Road – Carroll, Ohio
Sometimes the beauty found in one's own backyard rivals that of the most exotic location.

Absaroka Range — Absaroka Range
Staying outside the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park, this artist drove past Yellowstone Lake each morning and evening and was struck by the magical qualities of the lake and the surrounding mountains.

Detritus — Detritus
The wetlands of Yellowstone National Park are magical. Created through the industry of beaver, their water reflects the sky and magnifies the flotsam and jetsam suspended within.

Messenger from the Spirit World — Messenger from the Spirit World
The artist surprised this Pronghorn on a walk in The Little Bighorn National Battlefield, Montana. Instead of running, the animal exchanged a curious gaze. Local indigenous peoples believe the animal has the ability to carry messages to those living beyond the veil in the spirit world, which seems appropriate to the nature of this hallowed ground.

The Moon When Wolves Run Together — The Moon When Wolves Run Together
Indigenous peoples marked time through the observation of solar and lunar movement. The soft light of the moon on the frozen waters of Yellowstone illuminates the movement of wildlife engaged in the struggle to survive the bitter winter.

Pebble Creek Trail, Lamar Valley — Pebble Creek Trail, Lamar Valley
A stunningly beautiful hike in the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park terminates in an alpine meadow with views of Baronette Peak.

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