The Land of Fire & Ice: I was incredibly fortunate to travel abroad with Light Grey Art Lab in 2021. A group of 10 artists were chosen, and along with two guides (who were also artists) we traveled and explored the western portion of Iceland. We went to some well-known tourist spots but also traveled off the beaten path, exploring little sights and taking in all the incredible views that Iceland has to offer….which is basically everywhere. I’ve never experienced anything quite like this trip. With all of us being artists, we spent so much time at night creating art, trying out each other’s supplies and mixing colors to match the endless blues and greens of the landscape. It was such an incredible experience and I hope that I find another opportunity like this again soon!

I was fortunate to meet so many incredible artists from across the country and challenge myself during this trip. This was such an uplifting time when many of us were still struggling with the aftermath of the Covid-19 shutdown. This trip not only changed my mindset but also helped my art expand so much.

I was finally able to find the time to develop my sketchbook practice while in Iceland. My time here marks the first time I started drawing landscapes. Up until this point, I had always admired the work of landscape artists but never felt it was something I was good at. Trust me, it’s almost impossible to not draw the landscape while in Iceland, so I caved and began exploring all the amazing vistas and views in my sketch practice.

Above: a page from my sketchbook where I was still paying attention to the smaller details

Right: A combination of landscape studies from both drawing in the field and some from photos I took while I was out and about.

Iceland Sketch Page
Graphite on Paper (Composed digitally)
8 x 10”
2023
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Birds of Iceland
Colored pencil on Paper
18 x 24”
2023
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Inspired by all the amazing birds I saw during my trip, this poster compiles everything I saw in just one week in the land of fire & ice. Species are listed along the bottom of the poster but include puffins, kittiwake, and the arctic tern.

Death of A Voyager
Graphite and digital color
12x12”
2021
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Created for the Light Grey Art Lab publication, The End is Nigh: A Curious Look at Death Throughout History and Culture I used this piece to explore the wildflowers of Iceland and the history of their healing powers, as well as the life of the arctic tern. Terns have one of the longest migration routes and spend a good portion of their life in the skies. I also explored the meaning behind the Norse death rune ‘Yr’, which when flipped upside down becomes ‘Algis’ the rune of life.

Mt. Kirkjufell
Watercolor
8 x 10”
2022
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