Pilgrims at the Creek

Taking mindful walks around her neighborhood and Explore Park, Laura Ilawan practices grounding herself and breathing deeply, the resulting stillness giving way to observation of the intricate connection of living things and new insights on the subjects of her nature portraits. “I learned Virginia Creeper clings to walls using green-brown disc-like tendrils. I learned mourning doves have a slight oil-slick sheen on their neck, like their pigeon cousins. I learned how beautiful millipedes are–when I’m not caught up in being scared of their many legs!”
Articulating not only what is visible, her piece leaves space for quiet meditation. “The silhouettes of the heron and fawn are an attempt to capture how interesting negative space can be when left to appreciate it.”