FORAGED NATURAL ITEMS, INSECTS, ANIMAL BONES, COPPER WIRE, THREAD. 

Meet me in the forest, at a place where the human hand intricately collaborates with the whimsy of nature. 

I created a non-traditional sculptural installation for my senior thesis exhibition at Hastings College. Though placed in an interior space this work could be imagined as hidden deep in a forest. At first glimpse, it might appear that the mass is naturally occurring but upon further exploration, it would be discovered that the materials have been purposefully manipulated and carefully placed by a human's hand. Branches are suspended from the ceiling and hand-tied floral strands are attached. They are reminiscent of a weeping willow’s long, wispy leaves, gently moving at the slightest disturbance in the air. 

Look deeper: search for dried berries crinkled into muted red tones, a deceased sphinx moth the size of a baby bird, animal bones, maybe even a deer’s tooth, maybe other anomalies. 

Through extensive foraging, I have inserted my hand into nature’s cycle, interrupting the traditional growing and dying stages in nature.

All of the natural materials were found in the environment in late summer and early fall, before the chills of the cold weather arrived. Instead of allowing the natural elements to purely die with the onset of winter, I have preserved a small part of the earth’s beauty through meticulous manipulation and installation.

Perhaps, if this were hidden in the forest, this place would be awaiting a human to discover it, or maybe it would simply be abandoned and waiting to disintegrate back into nature. 

Explore and get back on your hands in the dirt. Forage. Meet me in the forest, at a place where hand is in everything.

Weavings are a recent passion project of mine! The repetitive motions and softness of the yarn clear my mind in the best, most needed way. My winter collection is currently available over in the shop! 

Styrofoam installed in tree.

The Hastings College maintenance staff approached this budded tree the morning after I installed the sculpted styrofoam, concerned they left the sprinklers on over night to leave enormous icicles. They shook their heads when they realized the icicles were art.

UPSIDE-DOWN STOOL & BRANCHES, FORAGED DRIED HYDRANGEAS & SPRING BUDS.

I allowed this sculpture to rest under a tree for a few days until I let it go — a lesson in not growing attached to material objects (especially work assembled with plants). It was hidden under a droop pine tree, forcing passersby to truly look at their surroundings to view it. 

PUBLISHED CHILDREN'S BOOK.

Sample illustrations for the Christian children's book Kate collaborated on with author and friend, Jonathan Poarch. The book was released early April 2016 and can be ordered in the Shop!

"Rachel trotted out of the forest after hearing what sounded like cars pulling up and the playfulness of children's voices. Coming to the end of the trail, she could see the camp clearly, and her suspicions were correct. 'Hooray!' she exclaimed as she saw the happy children playing. 'Finally, another summer of camp fun!'"

Copyright © 2016 by Jonathan Poarch.
Visit his blog here.

Published by Tate Publishing.

RECLAIMED ANIMAL FIGURINES + ACRYLIC.

These are a collection meant to be a vessel of display for words taken from the prints I designed for my college junior thesis show. Before I painted them, they reminded me of the figurines I found hiding in bushes while playing in my grandmother's garden as a child. These small sculptures bring airs of warmth and familiarity.  

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

Tear the rot from your chest and replace it with good, clean soil. Take care of the new soil, plant new seeds and grow taller than you were before. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

Don't be afraid to take your two strong hands and tear away the weeds wrapping around your neck. Inhale and exhale deeply. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

It may be your cozy bed, curled up next to a fireplace, under a tree, or perhaps in a secret spot kept away from other humans. Wherever it may be, keep it your sweet place of sanctuary. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

Beautiful human, your soul is a force to be reckoned with and nobody should be allowed to break your bones and remove your heart. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

Your spirit is beautiful and so is the body it rests in, so please protect both and keep them strong. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

You must shed the bad things, even though it may damage you a bit in the process. Eventually the holes will heal over to new pink skin. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

Embrace that uncertainty with strength and power and adventure, even when it feels as if the sky is collapsing into ten thousand pieces around you. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERING.

Please still be careful, but sometimes it's okay to be vulnerable.

"A Lil Pat on the Back When You Need It"

Peach Notes is a collection of twelve encouraging cards with the purpose to bring a bit of positivity into the world. I'm encouraging the buyer (you!) to hang on to a couple that speak the most to you, but also carry some in your purse/wallet (they're business card sized!) to pass along to buddies—or strangers—if they're a bit down in the dumps. 

VISIT MY SHOP TO ORDER! 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

A cat's meow is pretty sweet, so that means you are too.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

It's important to weed out stifling and negative things in your life. Once you do that, you can allow new, beautiful things to grow.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

On occasion, you need to cocoon yourself in ten blankets and simply think about the world in a warm place for a while. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

A reminder that the world can wait sometimes, and it's good / okay / necessary to rest. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

In some cases, the best way to brighten someone's day is to use the words "dang skippy."

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

It's important to wear warm, soft clothing against your skin, specifically cozy sweaters.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

The world needs you because you have a purpose to be alive. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

Men with well groomed facial hair bring a lovely gift to the world, don't ya think?

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

A little note to say that you should make yourself a cuppa tea when you're a bit chilly, sleepy, or stressed.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

You're doin' great, you sweet shelled nut.

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION + HAND LETTERED TINY CARD.

I believe in you, friend!

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION & HAND LETTERING.

Sometimes I crave grand nature adventures but those can't always happen at the drop of the hat — so I try to be an "everyday explorer." Walk a different path than normal, learn everything there is to know about a subject, forage natural objects to decorate my home, wake up every morning with the intention of doing something different that the previous day...

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION & HAND LETTERING.

It's funny sometimes how old things pop up again when you need to hear them. A good friend and camp counselor brother wrote out a life tip for me over the summer and I was reminded of it in February. 

DIGITAL ILLUSTRATION & HAND LETTERING.

I focused my Lenten goals around this phrase for my own spiritual renewal — rather than depriving myself of physical items for 40 days, I prayed to turn stress, over thinking + problems into wisdom and courage. 

DIGITAL COMIC ILLUSTRATION & HAND LETTERING.

The raccoon just wants some scraps.