"Beached Whale" Recycled cardboard, acrylic paint, and recycled trash (plastic bags, paper bags, fruit nets) 14 in, 16 in, 3/16 in
"Melting Ice Caps" Canvas, acrylic paint, and Liquitex medium gel 10 in, 8 in, 3/16 in
"Factory Pollutions" Wooden board, balsa wood, tree roots, and spices (as dirt) 14 in, 19.5 in, ½ in
"Forest Fire" Wooden canvas and acrylic paint 14 in, 19.5 in, ½ in
"Flood" Canvas and acrylic paint 11 in, 14 in, ¼ in
"Oil Spill" Canvas and acrylic paint 11 in, 14 in, ¼ in
"Desert Drought" Wooden canvas, acrylic paint, sand, rocks, and grass 8 in, 8 in, 1 in
"Before and After Harmful Chemicals and Pollutants" Canvas and acrylic paint 11 in, 14 in, ¼ in
"Over-fishing" Watercolor paper, watercolor pencils, fruit netting, and construction paper 9 in, 12 in, ¼ in
"The extinction of the Pangolins" Cork board canvas, acrylic paint, and pine cone seed scales 12 in, 12in, 3/16 in
Artist Statement
Through my sustained investigation I want to show how current environmental issues are affecting not only animals but humans as well. I believe that things like deforestation, pollution, and other environmental issues are and should be a number one concern in the world today. I have chosen the theme of the environment for my sustained investigation because I enjoy being out in nature and observing wildlife. It saddens me to see acres of forests being torn down and more and more animals being placed on the endangered species list. I want to not only raise awareness of the environmental issues happening in the world today, but to also show that there are solutions to these issues. There are things that we can do and I want to show people that through my artwork. In my artwork I use acrylic paint and different types of canvases that go along with the artwork. For example, I use a wood or cardboard base to promote recycling and to show how items can be recycled all kinds of ways, even through art. Throughout my pieces I also use different materials such as trash or wood to add to the theme of the artwork. For example, in one of my pieces about water pollution I use real trash in the art instead of painting the trash. My overall vision when creating the artwork is to not only draw attention to these critical issues that are happening but also to show how much these issues will impact us. I have always loved being out in nature and seeing animals in their natural habitat and this has inspired my work. Throughout my research I have discovered many artists who practice environmental art. These artists include Angela Hasltine Pozzi, Jean-philippe Rousset, and Zaria Forman. These three artists pick environmental issues that they think are very important for the public to see and they paint and create the art pieces. Many of the environmental issues these artists paint are forest fires, rising sea levels, deforestation, and pollution. Those are also many of the issues that I have included in my concentrations as well. As I continue my sustained investigation I learn more and more about climate change and the environmental issues we are currently encountering. As I am researching I have been surprised with the information that I have found out about these environmental issues and how little is being done to stop or reverse these issues, and I have also learned a lot through my investigation. My sustained investigation will impact me moving forward in life because it will teach me about how much of an impact we as humans have on the planet and how every small thing we do ends up having a huge affect on the world.