“The beauty of the natural world lies in the details.”
— Natalie Angier
Growing up, there were always a set of walkie talkies on charge, a required companion any time my siblings and I opened the back door with the intentions of adventure. A back door that lead to a mountainous landscape teaming with wildlife and the Clark Fork River running through. Adventure was truly plentiful.
With bulging pockets, I would wander home to investigate the days haul of tiny treasures collected while out being the rowdiest cowgirl/scientist/hunter/“lost girl”/etc. you ever did see (or so I thought). The wildlife tolerating my watchful eye as long as no attempts to put them in my pockets were made. (Okay, okay. A few insects were collected for observation. And a snake or two. Some turtles also...)
My affinity for the surrounding details only grew as I did. Eventually, I resigned from stuffing my pockets and began the process of remembering detail through art. My fixation with perfection often leaves me frustrated. How can I possibly get each hair, shadow, reflection, imperfection, and life to translate to paper? I simply can’t. Yet, the opportunity to sit in the unexacting space created by merely observing and translating, keeps me coming back.
My hope is that you too begin to notice the rich detail in your daily life. From the house fly that’s evading your flailing hand to the veins running through the leaves of the tree you pass on your way to work each day. Maybe these drawings can stand as a reminder for you to pause and notice the life they attempt to mimic.
