Valles Caldera National Preserve

I am honored to have served as an inaugural Artist in Resident at Valles Caldera National Preserve from August 6-September 3, 2024. I am humbled and grateful that I got to call this special place home for a while. The time went by way too fast and there are still so many things I want to paint! Thank you to the rangers and volunteers for helping to make this an amazing experience, and thanks to everyone who attended a workshop, the open house and all of those who followed along on social media.

Portfolio of Donated Works

I donated a series of botanical paintings of summer wildflowers plus large landscapes.

Workshops

I had the best time teaching two nature journaling workshops. At each workshop I first I gave a 30 minute presentation to get things started, then we went on a walk to a nearby stream and pond to put the ideas into practice. Afterwards we reconvened to share our journals. All materials were provided and participants took home a mini journal. (I made the journals from a single sheet of watercolor paper — see video tutorial.)

I love getting people excited about sketching and painting out in nature. It gives me such a charge when I see someone’s eyes light up thinking “yes, I can do this too!”. I’ve seen first hand how taking the time to paint or sketch helps people form a deeper connection to a place in a way that snapping a photo can never do, which in turn makes them want to become stewards of the land.