Mining Series
This body of work focuses on environmental concerns associated with mining and mining processes. The selected pieces were developed during two separate Artist Residencies in Wyoming, The Ucross Foundation outside of Sheridan and The Brush Creek Art Foundation outside Saratoga, Wyoming. Both residencies are located on massive ranches and nature conservation areas between 13,000 and 22,000 acres. While spending time at these locations, I began to reflect on the Wyoming landscape, the mining history, current mining approaches, and how the environment (land, water, air) is affected by mining. This body of work also derived from my research and environmental concern with mining issues in Colorado, such as Fracking, and Mountain Top Removal in the Appalachian Mountains. Visually, the work is a literal approach to representing minerals and fossil fuels lying within our underground environment.
The prints and works on paper were created first by roaming the land and collecting natural objects on my walks at the residencies. Each day I would return to the studio with new organic material to explore. I began laying the found material such as tree bark, branches, rocks from the river, and other found organic matter on top of watercolor, India Ink, and gauche that was poured onto Mylar. Once the paint was dry, I removed the organic matter and returned it to its original location. Next, I would either transfer mylar images onto damp printmaking paper or cut the shapes out of the mylar and adhere them to the printmaking paper. The constructed images are the result of this process.
This body of work focuses on environmental concerns associated with mining and mining processes. The selected pieces were developed during two separate Artist Residencies in Wyoming, The Ucross Foundation outside of Sheridan and The Brush Creek Art Foundation outside Saratoga, Wyoming. Both residencies are located on massive ranches and nature conservation areas between 13,000 and 22,000 acres. While spending time at these locations, I began to reflect on the Wyoming landscape, the mining history, current mining approaches, and how the environment (land, water, air) is affected by mining. This body of work also derived from my research and environmental concern with mining issues in Colorado, such as Fracking, and Mountain Top Removal in the Appalachian Mountains. Visually, the work is a literal approach to representing minerals and fossil fuels lying within our underground environment.
The prints and works on paper were created first by roaming the land and collecting natural objects on my walks at the residencies. Each day I would return to the studio with new organic material to explore. I began laying the found material such as tree bark, branches, rocks from the river, and other found organic matter on top of watercolor, India Ink, and gauche that was poured onto Mylar. Once the paint was dry, I removed the organic matter and returned it to its original location. Next, I would either transfer mylar images onto damp printmaking paper or cut the shapes out of the mylar and adhere them to the printmaking paper. The constructed images are the result of this process.