Ancient forests. Hidden rivers. Wonder is waiting beneath the stars.

I’ve had a long-distance love affair with the Pacific Northwest for years so I was delighted by the opportunity to express my affinity for Olympic National Park in colorful, flowing illustrations. From western red cedars to nurse logs and epiphytes draping the trees like curtains, the rainforest feels like a magical place where the racing mind can slow down, stop, and simply witness. Maybe these illustrations will inspire you and your family to visit Olympic National Park one day.

In my earliest memory, I was sitting in my diaper on a forest path. The path was covered in pine needles and I felt them beneath me. They were slippery yet prickly. The sensation captured my attention so I grasped with my chubby fingers until I was able to hold onto a single pine needle. Sliding a finger alongside it and then touching the point, I wondered «how can something so smooth be so sharp?» Exploring nature can be a great way for little ones of all ages to discover their own minds and begin to think for themselves.

Our relationship with nature is a pretty big story and I’m happy to contribute a small piece here. With other artists, nature-lovers, children, parents, and adults of all ages, we have an impact on everything we pay attention to. Art is a great way to direct our attention to what is beautiful and worth nurturing Thanks to the visionary creators of WildStork, we are focusing our attention on something worthy of respect and conservation, the Living World.