Discover the intersection of art, climate activism, and handmade materials.
Explore behind-the-scenes insights, creative processes, and the stories that shape my work.
Local Conservation Efforts on Long Island
Over the past month I had the opportunity of connecting with some non-profits and organizations that are doing incredible work on Long Island. I thought, why keep these experiences to myself? All of these moments flow and fuel my artwork. Everything is connected.
On February 12, I attended a Valentine’s Oyster Spawn at CCE Suffolk Marine Hatchery in Southold. The mood was set, and we gathered waiting for the perfect conditions (super warm water, curated playlist, candles lit, and a little magic) while the oysters finally spawned! Seeing this happening right before my eyes while smelling the briny wet air was a perfect morning spent before a day of school.
Next, I signed up for a sunrise seal walk with CEED and led by AMSEAS. We met on a foggy morning at Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton. Typically the seals are everywhere, but with the weather conditions we could not spot any. We collectively picked up just under 20 lbs of trash along the shoreline.
After walking and trash gathering, we ventured to AMSEAS headquarters to see SEA TURTLES! Kemps Ridley Sea Turtles in specific, are endangered. These turtles experienced cold stunning, and are being rehabilitated by the staff and volunteers. It was incredible to be so close and watch them swimming around the tanks.
Beyond being inspired by these events I share this all with you to remind you, there are SO many opportunities to learn, engage, and volunteer your time. When the world feels extremely chaotic and intense sometimes giving back is a great way to ground you, and give you a sense of community.
Join me at Mastic Beach Conservancy’s Earth Day Cleanup on Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM – 12 PM. Please note the rain date is Sunday, April 26th from 10 AM – 12 PM. Where: Marina 5, 732 Riviera Drive, Mastic Beach, NY. It is FREE and open to ALL. No sign up needed.
THE ROUNDUP: March 2026
Welcome back to The Roundup, the second installment of my monthly collection of stories that inspire, inform, and spark curiosity. Each edition brings together highlights from coastal ecosystems, environmental news, and the local arts and conservation scene. I’ll continue sharing links, insights, and resources to help you stay connected to the work happening in our communities and the natural world around us.
Offshore Drilling and the Myth of Lower Gas Prices
Photo Credit: Joshua Shelly
Pearl of Policy Powers for Brookhaven’s Shellfishing Future
READ THE ARTICLE AT FIRE ISLAND NEWS
Photo Credit: J. D. Allen
Coral Bleaching Awareness Month is Moving to September
Reflections on My Residency at The Caumsett Foundation
As an eco artist based on Long Island, New York, my work is deeply rooted in place. During August and September 2025, I had the incredible opportunity to complete an art residency at The Caumsett Foundation. Over these two months, I created a variety of work, shown below, exploring the park through color, texture, and material experimentation. During my time in residence, I was thrilled to share the studio with two incredible artists, whose presence, creativity, and conversations made this experience all the more meaningful. In August I shared with Peter Tresnan, and in September I shared with Natasha K. De Armas.
From the very first day, I remember being intimidated by the blank walls and the large work table. What was once empty is now bursting with paintings, experimental studies, and sculptures inspired by the land. That large table now holds my largest painting to date.
I carried a wood stump from the beach, which sat in the studio until it was ready to make marks and become a work of art itself. Each piece captures the process of translating Caumsett into color and texture. After the paint, water, and sand fully dried, I brushed off the excess to reveal hidden patterns underneath—a dialogue between materials and nature.
The residency was a whirlwind of teaching, crushing rocks, making paint from the park, and creating artwork inspired by my time here. What started as an experiment evolved into a new series. Some pieces have already found their forever homes (thank you!), some are going to be exhibited this year, but if you see something you connect with, reach out and I’ll connect you with details.
This series, Caumsett in Color, celebrates the elements of earth pigments, paper, sand, salt, water, sunshine, and air. I would also like to acknowledge that this work was created on the ancestral lands of the Matinecock people, who named this place Caumsett, meaning “place by a sharp rock,” and whose enduring connection to this land continues today.
