Installation at Brevard Art Museum for Navel Gazing exhibition

My installation entitled Preconceived Notions consists of five paintings and a documentary that talks about what people think of as the native Florida and what it really is. I hope to educate the public about preserving more of the original native Florida as well as planting their yards and properties with native plants.

Update

All the segments below were all part of our Florida program, The Artist's Process-Going Native in Florida. You can also see our fundraiser segment for our New Mexico program on our Creative-Native Project website (http://www.creativenativeproject.com/artistprocess.html ) and we are working with an Oklahoma museum to do a segment for Oklahoma this year.

Corkscrew Swamp Segment # 1

Our first stop on our trip through Florida shooting the documentary "The Artist's Process, Going Native" was Corkscrew Swamp in southwest Florida outside ofNaples and down Immokalee Road. We interviewed Ed Carlson, director of the Audubon Refuge who has been there for thirty years. It is an extraordinary place with miles of boardwalk that allow visitors to traverse this primordial swamp with one of the largest stands of virgin cypress. It is one of my favorite spots.

We also talked to Ed about their innovative water treatment system which cleans all of their restroom water through the use of native plants.

Segment # 2 Interviewing Kari Ruder at her native plant nursery

We met Kari Ruder at her native plant nursery called Naturewise in Cocoa. She was great on camera and inspiring in terms of what can be done with native plantings. I wish we had done more with native plants in our yard in Punta Gorda some years ago after talking with her. She also took us to Endeavour Elementary Magnet School where she is providing plants and assistance in their innovative gardening program. We participated in their butterfly release in the butterfly garden the kids have planted. I was surprised to see that some of the children found it very natural and others were actually afraid of the butterflies.

Florida native yards Segment #3

We went to see two yards that have been converted to native plants and talk with Gary Cowie, the owner of one of the yards about why he converted his conventional yard to one with native plants. We interview Sharon Dolan owner of Maple Street Natives about how she helped Gary design and plant his yard as well as another yard that was converted to a coastal hammock habitat. Hopefully these yards which are so much more beautiful to my mind than the typical yard as well as being easier to maintain and requiring very little water while providing great habitat for wildlife will inspire others.

Repairing paintings at the Brevard Art Museum segment #4

Most people don't realize all the demands and stresses of being an exhibiting artist. This segment gives a brief glimpse into my life as an artist. Every time my paintings are shipped or travel there are repairs and touch ups to be done. Luckily this time they were not too extensive.

Shell Creek Segment #5

We drove over to Punta Gorda to spend a few days with our friends Rick and Jane who live on Shell Creek. The documentary shows how they live in harmony with this Florida blackwater creek while having a very comfortable lifestyle. We take a canoe trip up the creek and show the exquisite untouched waterway.

Zach Bell at Cafe Boulud Segment # 6

We interviewed Zach Bell, acclaimed Chef de Cuisine at Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach about his work with local sustainable growers and producers to craft his innovative cuisine. Talked to him about his artistic process with food and got to sample the mouthwatering results.

Artist Kyle and a trip to Wekiwa Springs Segment #7

Met up with Kyle at his studio in Maitland and discussed his environmentally oriented work. The next morning we met him at Wekiwa Springs to see how he works out in the field to create his art and also had the pleasure of swimming in the crystal clear waters of the springs.

Enchanted Forest in Titusville Segment #8

Enchanted Forest in Titusville is surrounded by development but provides an incredible sanctuary within it's bounds including many ancient trees and diverse habitats. I was very inspired by all the huge trees and deep forest vegetation. Must go back for a much longer visit....

Fairchild Gardens Segment # 9

The documentary concludes with a trip to Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens in Coral Gables, a place I have wanted to go to for years. We interviewed Jennifer Possley, a staff conservationist specializing in native fern preservation and then spent two days exploring the gardens and the amazing diversity of species and habitats in the gardens. There are ancient trees there that will inspire many paintings for my Ancient Ones series.

Installation at Brevard Art Museum for Navel Gazing exhibition

My installation entitled Preconceived Notions consists of five paintings and a documentary that talks about what people think of as the native Florida and what it really is. I hope to educate the public about preserving more of the original native Florida as well as planting their yards and properties with native plants.