"Nature is not a place to visit, it is home." - Gary Snyder

“As an Appalachian artist, I constantly hear people taking the arts for granted, while simultaneously taking the world around us for granted. Because of this, I have begun exploring one overarching concept: we as humans are interconnected with nature, whether we realize it or not. This concept started while I was studying abroad at Trinity Saint David, thanks to their exchange program, and was missing home. I began collecting fallen leaves and other scraps of nature I could find in Swansea, which wasn't much. When I arrived home, I advanced in this thought process by focusing on the little things that we do that show our connection with nature: such as having a favorite animal. I then dove deeper, exploring the connection between life and death, how our lives revolve around the two. While I am happy with my work thus far, I would like to continue exploring our connection to nature in new environments and cultures. I would also like to bring nature to those who have forgotten it.”