The Place We All Call Home

Liz Liner, Gerald

Acrylic paint on canvas, 2022

This painting depicts a peaceful, idyllic scene of nature during the autumn season. The murky water is full of fallen leaves from the trees above and reflects the tall grass that stands in the background. It shows a peaceful coexistence between the blue heron and the environment in which it resides. The artist created a scene that resembles her own idyllic scene in nature, one that reminds her of home. She was inspired by the autumn leaves that are currently all around campus, as well as the blue herons that she frequently sees when at home. This work shows us that simplicity in nature can be beautiful and comforting. It serves as a reminder that you do not need to spend all of your time in nature to connect with it and appreciate its beauty. -Catherine Henry

Amelia Seabury, Fading Away

Conte crayon and chalk, 2020

This piece depicts an Amur leopard, an endangered species, lounging on the branches of a tree. The branches intertwine with one another and the leopard seems to fit perfectly within the branches, as if he is one with the tree. Except this leopard is fading away, disappearing along with the nature that surrounds him. The leopard’s spots remain prominent, drawing our eyes to the animal even though it is slowly disappearing. The artist wanted to show the leopard’s enormity and grandeur by drawing it on a large piece of paper, and used conte crayon and chalk to give it a variety of shades and an illustrative style. By portraying an endangered animal that is also beautiful, the artist was able to combine ideals of conservation and aesthetic beauty, while also bringing awareness to the destruction of nature in our world today. -Catherine Henry