The Southern Utah Project
I’m currently developing a focused collection of 15 new works that celebrates Southern Utah’s wild beauty and advocates for its conservation. These pieces bring together two complementary aims: arresting, high-contrast graphite drawings that capture the abstract energy of Utah’s landscapes and carefully rendered studies of the region’s rare and endangered native plants.
The series
Graphite landscapes: These dramatic drawings explore Utah’s monumental rock formations and the abstract qualities of the wild. I work with graphite powder and a painting-like application technique—laying down layers, building deep tonal fields, and refining edges to create contrast and mood. The goal is to translate the sense of scale, texture, and light into compositions that feel both raw and meditative.
Botanical portraits: Alongside the landscapes, I’m painting Utah’s vulnerable native flora. Each botanical piece is intended to honor the species’ fragile beauty while highlighting the urgent need for protection. These works are detailed and intimate, a direct counterpoint to the vastness of the landscape drawings.
Why this focus matters Southern Utah’s scenery is globally renowned: sculpted cliffs, sweeping canyons, and a palette of stone and sky. But that dramatic terrain supports many plant species that are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, and human disturbance. By pairing bold landscape work with precise botanical studies, this collection aims to forge an emotional link between viewers and the living organisms that depend on those places. Visual awareness can be a meaningful first step toward stewardship.
Technique and approach My graphite drawings are not traditional sketches; they arise from a method that resembles painting. I use graphite powder to build washes and gradients, then employ controlled application and erasure to carve out form and highlight. This allows me to achieve a high-contrast, tactile surface—one that feels both atmospheric and intimately detailed. For the botanical paintings, I balance scientific observation with painterly sensitivity, so each specimen reads as both an accurate study and a standalone artwork.
Where to see the work Select pieces from this project are currently included in the Ephemeral Art Show at the Swaner Preserve and Eco Center in Park City, Utah. The show is dedicated to raising awareness about Utah’s plants and ecosystems, and it’s an ideal setting to view how the landscape and botanical threads of this series interact.
If you’re visiting the Swaner Preserve or have interest in conservation-focused art exhibitions, I invite you to view the pieces there and consider how visual art can deepen our connection to Utah’s unique ecosystems.
