My interest in art started at elementary school when I proudly proclaimed myself an artist. When my 4th grade teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I wrote down “Artist” and embellished the borders of my page with doodles to further cement my point.

I didn’t remember this until recently, when after completing my BFA degree in Studio Art, and after many years trying to find my place as a Graphic Designer, I returned to school to complete a degree in Environmental Science & Biology. I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to explore being a “real” scientist assisting with research in the Alaskan Arctic as well as in the Chihuahuan Desert during my time as a graduate student. My love for the Chihuhuan Desert though, the place I have called home for the 31 years of my life, was realized while I assisted in a research project where we explored the effects of global warming on biological soil crusts. I was reminded that the desert is teeming with life- literally, millions of cyanobacteria and lichen protect our soils from erosion, and replenish them with nutrients that feed desert vegetation. They have always existed beneath our feet, yet, I was finally seeing them- truly seeing them. My interest with fungi and lichen began here as well, which explains why a lot of my current themes are the exploration of fungi and lichen forms. Having the knowledge and background of a scientist assists me to see nature as it truly is- in all it’s glory. Due to this, my intention as an artist, is to showcase the real nature of our desert, as an area teeming with life rather than a bleak, sad, and lifeless place. I hope to reprogram the way we view our deserts, one art piece at a time.

Throughout this journey, I always returned to art, in one form or another. In the end, I learned that my younger self understood me better than I did, and for that I’m thankful.