In 2018, I was honored to be selected as one of 6 annual Artists-in-Residence at the national park.
I spent June 2018 living and creating in the park. I focused on depicting the "tiny worlds" of the park, including the plentiful fungi and the synchronous firefly phenomenon, a rare mating ritual that occurs in only a few locations around the world.
Read an article that I wrote for She Explores Podcast on my experience as a National Park Service artist here.
While I was there, I illustrated an activity booklet for the park to help kids understand the amazing synchronous firefly phenomenon. I also made homemade firefly wings to wear around as I led kids in artistic engagement activities! They were a big hit.
I hiked every day for 5 weeks during my artist residency and by the end, I felt the strongest that I ever had. I created this painting inspired by my newfound strength and my new pair of hiking boots.
