Intro

Hi, y’all! I am a Minnesota multimedia botanical artist. If you have seen my work, you may see that my painting style is fairly abstract, light-hearted, and illustrative. So why, then, would I have an interest in taking an advanced course to learn the research methodology, proper skills, and process for submitting realistic botanical artwork to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum’s 100 year botanical project, documenting as many flora and fauna as possible that exist in within the Arboretum?

Don’t worry, I just finished my first class thinking about the same thing.

To be honest, it started a long time ago, so buckle up, buttercups (see what I did, there?).

It started when I was a kid, who doodled during class (and got in trouble for it) .

It was fed, with a mom who always had beads and sparkles and markers (any craft, really) on stand-by.

It chugged along with me as I took art class after art class in high school (and no PSEO classes, much to my parent’s dismay).

It shone when I hosted my “art gallery” themed high school graduation party.

It got lost, for a few years, as I studied and partied during college.

It was found, as I became a young mother and found time to create during nap times.

It was honed into my hands, as I lamented my limited musical capabilities - because of my failing ears.

It was fueled by visits to national and state parks, fishing trips, hikes, and by learning to care for plants.

“It” is creative desire. Since I can remember, I’ve always used my hands to create. To those who know me well, they also know that I can’t keep them still.

Now that I’ve had a chance to be dramatic, Let’s take a real moment to also say- I am self taught, and I need a community.

We all know that artists don’t have to be professionally trained to create something prolific or be successful. However, I am glaringly aware that there’s only so much I can do, and so much I can grow artistically, without learning from others. Does this mean that I’ll fully change painting styles? Probably not. Does that mean I’ll have to try one, or two, or maybe even three times before I create something worthy of the Arboretum’s FFI (Flora and Fauna Illustrata) 100 year project? Probably. Will I learn new skills and techniques to bring with me as my artistic journey unfurls? Most definitely <3. It will be a challenge, and this challenge will force my artistic skills to grow.

Then there’s Community. Community is a cornerstone to success. Your community is your support team, your cheer squad, your best and worst critic. While my family and local community of Elk River has been the best cheer squad anyone could ask for — let’s be honest and say that my ‘artistic’ community has been more like a barren desert in mid-summer. I’m hoping at this moment there’s another artist reading this, who is having flashbacks to painting alone at their kitchen table that’s filled with cups and food and books and terrible lighting and their artwork scrunched up in a little corner of it all. I hope that artist (maybe, you?) is nodding in understanding that sometimes it’s difficult to look at your artwork from ten different angles with squinted eyes — holding the work up, bringing it closer to your face— only to ask a running husband or child flying by for feedback… “ Uh. Looks…nice?” . Ugh. It’s the worst. It’s a bit lonely, ya know? From the perspective of an outsider, looking in at the Arboretum from the “sticks” of the northern suburbs, it looks like things there are bustling. I look out from my perch in my tree, and see connection. I see a community that is thriving. I see scientists and botanists, gardeners and fine artists, and grandmas with grandkids and parents with kids running around, I see professional artists being amongst each other— artists that may be honest, and tell you that your work looks like shit…and then give you suggestions on how to fix it. I see it all and it makes me flitty.

When I see the Arboretum from far away, it looks green. It looks flush with growth. It looks like community.

I hope that what I see from afar, is true. I want to grow in my artistic practice. I want to belong in an artistic community.

Let’s see what happens from here <3