The Inspiration

Lichenology was born in 2011, when we sold our beloved family cabin above Poudre Canyon in Colorado. I looked for a tangible way to hold on to the memory of the property and began collecting small, beautiful artifacts that, when placed together, reconstructed a story about the cabin and what it means to be nourished by a place. 

Since then, I have used my craft as a way to polish my experiences in nature - juxtaposing materials possessing their own, divergent stories to create a piece with a single, unified future. I have seen that everyone finds their own meaning in these pieces - whether through attachment to the physical locations housing the raw materials, the sentimentality of a kind of wood or stone, or the mere tying together of different histories. Thus, each piece is as unique in form as it is in meaning.

My intention is for the wearer of my work to contemplate the meaning of time and how it dictates our relationship with the land.

We all draw deep connections to the lands in which we live and recreate. If you have materials you'd like fashioned into a custom piece, please contact me. 

Why LICHEN?

Lichens are incredible entities, and much is still being learned about them. Lichens are composite organisms resulting from an algae or cyanobacteria living in a symbiotic relationship with two or more distinct fungi. There are an estimated 17,000 to 20,000 species of lichen, but the complexity of their beings makes them notably difficult to categorize. They are thought to cover 6-8% of the Earth’s surface, which speaks to the incredibly diverse ecosystems in which they can survive and the influence they have on our planet. Lichens make their homes on the bark of trees, attached to rocks, or even growing in the soil. Many species grow incredibly slowly and can withstand a variety of extreme conditional changes, earning them the label of “polyextremophiles".” Lichens are believed to be among the oldest living things on earth, with map lichen species in Greenland dated at over 5,000 years. Much current research is being done on lichens' ability to record climate change, as their age and ability to absorb even trace elements offer a window into historic atmospheric conditions.

I love lichens; they have forever changed my view of the world and continue to teach me so much about how to live. Lichens are small but mighty organisms that offer valuable lessons on how to thrive in any environment. Their secret lies in their cooperative nature. A union of fungi, algae, and other microorganisms, lichens demonstrate that working for the common good is useful, necessary, and sustainable. They are long-living and slow-growing, showing us that strength comes through adaptation and patience. They have a profound impact on their surroundings, eroding wood and stone to pave the way for other, more diverse organisms to thrive. 

These agents of change continue to challenge our categories and understandings of what it means to be an individual. May they help you lean into curiosity and your inextricable connection to a wide and fascinating world. 

Locally Gathered, Handmade

I personally gather and refine all materials used in my work. I ethically harvest these materials by using deadfall and gathering lichen from several sources to ensure that the processes of decomposition and renewal may continue in each site.

Sharing the natural histories of each material is central to my work, so each piece is accompanied by a detailed specimen card to help you connect to its origins.

All gathered materials are preserved and sealed for longevity of wear. As these are natural materials, please refrain from submerging them in water or wearing roughly. Treat them kindly, as you would treat the land you love.

PRESS

For more about me and my artistic practice, visit my PRESS PAGE.