The Trails We Take

This body of work is inspired by the changes I’ve witnessed and the stories I’ve been told of the timber and prairie of the family farm in Northeast Iowa. A trail may be carved through unwieldy terrain for a purpose. It may be formed over time by movements of people and animals, or as the result of weather events. With repeated use, a trail will leave a mark on the land, evidence of choices, intentional or unavoidable.

The trails we choose to follow shape the land and our sentiments toward it. By finding harmony between beauty and conservation, the mark we leave shows respect for those before us, and preserves the land for those after. Through the natural textures of wet-felted wool and vibrant needle-felted details, I explore the beauty that can be found by collaborating with nature through conservation and amidst change.