Spawning Thoughts (detail 2)

Artmaking is the process through which I come to understand things about the world and what it means to be in/with the world. In this paper, I describe how my painting practice operates. This process yields ways of thinking through the world that cannot be replicated through other means. I explain how I think through the information, ideas and theories gleaned through scientific disciplines as I engage with material matter. I strive to explore how scientific and embodied knowledges can function together, in my case, to provide a deeper connection and sense of belonging to the land on which I live and the Earth we all inhabit. Additionally, this document demonstrates how my paintings and clay feet address ideas of Nature. I briefly investigate the history of nature that developed within Western Europe and consider notions of Nature that have emerged more recently. I discuss how my works unpack the complexity of our relationship with Nature. Finally, I link my work with broader philosophical ideas about the human condition. I focus on the distinction between human animals and non-human animals and the environmental and ethical implications resulting from this distinction. I then examine visual art’s role as I navigate new understandings of and relationships with nature. I conclude by exploring how painting can guide us toward a more equitable relationship with nature and fulfill a human desire for novel, vibrant and pleasurable experiences.