From Ireland to Portland: Art, Environment, and the Power of Creative Exchange
My art residency in Ireland was a transformative experience that deepened both my creative practice and my environmental focus. Immersed in the mystical beauty of the land and the ancient Irish feminine spirit, I felt a profound connection to the place. This connection led me to combine encaustic painting with site-specific materials like peat ash and holy water from St. Brigid’s well. The raw textures of these materials became central to my work, symbolizing the cultural and environmental significance of Ireland's fragile bog wetlands.
The figures I created during the residency went beyond mere representation, evolving into landscapes that reflected both human bodies and the land itself. Inspired by Celtic goddesses like Brigid and the Morrígan, these forms embodied the strength and endurance of women throughout history and mythology. Each layer of beeswax and ash became a reflection of Ireland’s myth, history, and environment, linking the physical landscape to its spiritual essence.
A major part of my creative growth came from collaborating with Bridget Benton, an Asheville-based artist and my new teaching partner. In our shared studio space, I explored new techniques and experimented with materials that sparked ideas I couldn’t wait to bring back to Portland. Using torn and burnt paper, I created figurative sculptures that drew parallels between the scars of the land and the struggles of women. These pieces, which emphasize resilience that transcends time and place, were first exhibited at Olive Stack Gallery in Ireland and later received great responses in Portland at Verum Ultimum Gallery, The Ford Gallery, and my own studio.
As my work evolved, I moved toward environmental abstraction while preparing for my exhibition at the Newmark Theater. I focused on the impact of human intervention on natural landscapes, from the overharvesting of Irish bogs to deforestation in the Pacific Northwest. I used ash from these ecosystems as a key material to highlight their fragility. This shift deepened my work and has also enriched my teaching practice, where I now encourage students to explore important issues using creative expression and innovative materials.
The residency was a profound experience that helped me better understand the connections between culture, environment, and personal history. It reinforced my belief that art can be a powerful tool for both environmental advocacy and cultural preservation. I’m excited to continue sharing these insights and techniques with my community, fostering collective action through creative dialogue.
Special thanks to the Regional Arts and Culture Council for the grant funding and support that made this project possible.
