The Great Law of Peace
Some say Jamestown VA is the birthplace of American democracy; others say it’s Philadelphia PA. But in truth, it isn’t either of those places — the Native Americans formed a fully functioning …
Trees Are Individual Beings
In response to the question, “How do you paint a tree?,” John Carlson wrote a beautiful section on the need to understand trees. “Know your trees, their nature, their growth, their movement; …
The Dam Issue
“The rivers are our brothers. They quench our thirst. They carry our canoes and feed our children. You must give to the rivers the kindness you would give to any brother.” ~ Chief Seattle We’ve …
How You Can Help Bees and Butterflies
Bees and butterflies are responsible for pollinating the flowering plants that produce the food we eat, provide food for other animals, and make our landscapes beautiful. Right now their populations …
Why Honey Bees Are Not the Answer
When you think about saving the bees, I’m guessing you think about the honey bee. People have rallied to its defense, and that’s a good thing. The honey bee, like all insects, is struggling right …
5 Fascinating Facts About Bees
I started reading about bees for a painting I wanted to make. What I found was so interesting I had to share. Here you go! Source: various podcasts and blog posts by the Xerces Society.
I Can
Last year my sister asked me to make an animal drawing for her birthday. I decided it would be a hummingbird and she gave me her favorite colors. When I started working on it, I realized my vision for …
The First Rights of Salmon Case
In 2022, salmon went to court for the very first time. They of course didn’t actually go to court; representatives of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe went on their behalf. The Sauk-Suiattle sued the …
Secret Knowledge
I can remember sitting in an art history class in college, studying the Old Masters, and feeling certain that I could never paint like that. The subtext being that if I can’t make paintings that will …
Environmental Rights and Wildfires, Thank You, Canada
On May 30th Canada voted to include the right to a healthy environment in federal law; eight days later I woke up to the smell of smoke in my neighborhood. I assumed some nearby building …