Author Archives: Brigid

The Tallgrass Prairie

The cold wind in the Flint Hills, on a “warm” winter day, was brutal. I took a trip to the Flint Hills to collect some winter-dried grasses before the killer part of our winter set in.  I wasn’t ready for … Continue reading

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Lavender

Lavender has been growing wild for all of recorded history. I’ve preserved this most lovely specimen to create truly green art. It’s not the best picture – the color is actually rich and green. It hasn’t changed much in the … Continue reading

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Small Native Pieces

I used to think the variety of plant material available to me here in the midwest was sadly limited. I was always planning trips and fantasizing about the exotic plant material I would find. Traveling around a bit is great, … Continue reading

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Multiple Layers

I recently started using  multiple layers of plant material to add depth and dimension. 

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Plants and Form

Explorers collected and preserved plants to bring their beauty to their homes far away. Early healers preserved plants to treat their patients. I preserve plants for their beauty and the richness of their history. Click on any image below to … Continue reading

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City of Alexandria Herbarium

I found historic type specimen and unusual plant material at the City of Alexandria, VA herbarium.  While I had hoped to get into the United States National Herbarium at the Smithsonian to see historic specimen,  I got to see some … Continue reading

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University of Maryland Herbarium

There were some beautiful specimen, as well as interesting historical remnants, at the Norton-Brown Herbarium at the University of Maryland. The herbarium was established in 1901 making it one of the oldest in the U.S. (the University of Florida Herbarium is … Continue reading

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Art and an Indigenous Religion

The Freer Gallery of Art on the national mall  in D.C. houses one of the most outstanding collections of Asian art in the U.S.  It was a highlight of my trip to that area this fall. Seeing art from the … Continue reading

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Magnolia and Grape Vine Tendrils

Wherever we go in life, we bring with us stories running through our minds and hearts. We might have brief moments of pure experience in the moment,  but those are rare. When I’m looking at plant material, there’s always something … Continue reading

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Papaya

Papaya. It’s native to the Americas and is one of the healthiest foods you can eat. When I visited Negril (Jamaica) a few years ago, I noticed the gorgeous leaves everywhere. I brought a plant press with me and did … Continue reading

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