Mixed media on paper. Acrylics, watercolor, ink on paper.

I grew up in Eugene on and off throughout my life and some of my favorite memories are along the bike path next to the Willamette River, in the spring and summertime. I love walking along the river on my way to meet with a friend or on my way to a concert and seeing all of the beautiful flowers and wildlife along the river. I think many people in Eugene have memories of crossing the Alton Baker Park bridge on their way to see a show or a football game and looking down on the beautiful Willamette River.

Eugene, Oregon is located on the Indigenous homeland of the Kalapuya people. As a way of honoring the Indigenous peoples from this area, I have included Indigenous first foods and medicines in a variety of plants and flowers, including wild iris, trillium, wocus lily, camas and dogwood. Being an Indigenous woman, I have included the blue heron, a waterbird sacred to many different tribes to watch over and keep the community safe and honor the past and present. The heron is a water protector, a symbol of life, renewal, bringer of rain and the carrier of prayers.

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