About me and the initiative: Honestly, I don't create this art for me, I do it for others.  If I can produce a piece that helps people escape the difficulties around them and within to a place where they find some beauty in the world, even if for a fleeting moment, then I'll have accomplished my main goal. 

​

There are several things I like and appreciate about doing this type of art.  For one, I like the idea that the texture of the piece is the result of a natural organic material.  It is not the product of some unnatural chemical product.  I also like that I have to go into the forest to gather the materials to make it.  I have to find the right needles that I take off the ground back home.  I then get to work with those needles for 50 to 100 hours learning all the nuances and details of every needle because every needle has to be laid one by one.  It would be great if the needles were all similar and I could just throw them all down quickly and create a finished product I appreciated.  But they’re all a little different, some very different.  Which is good yet a little challenging.  Good because it allows for the creation of different types of forms and figures.  A little challenging because I often have to sift through a few needles or more to find the right needle to be placed.  It can be quite the process!  But in the end I have this product that is a scene that represents the origin of its creation.  And the final step that kind’ve completes the cycle is that a portion of what is made will go to preserve and protect what led to the creation of the piece. 

 

I have dabbled in various artistic endeavors for several decades.  This is the latest undertaking I’m pursuing.  The idea for this work was discovered while in a PhD program in forest ecology in the Czech Republic. At one point, funding had mostly run out from my program and I had to look for alternative sources for financing my education. I knew if I was going to consider art to fund my studies I needed to come up with something unique in order to stand out. One day walking by this Douglas fir in the Czech Republic, I saw its pine needles on the ground and wondered if I could use them to create some sort of landscape. After a few couple months of planning and experimenting, my first piece was made, though it’s taken me a couple years to perfect the process.

​

If I could pursue art full-time that would be great as I have numerous ideas for needle landscapes. But it wouldn’t be the only thing I would do as I’m very passionate about helping people and the environment. I have my own initiatives I would like to pursue including raising awareness about how climate change is affecting forest ecosystems and how the environment affects public health. I also feel it is very important to protect our forests which is why ten percent of all sales will go toward initiatives for preserving forests and reforestation. Hence the concept for my art: the art supplies come from forests, they’re used to make artwork of forests, and that art will be used to protect our forests.

 

There are a few ways I hope to do good with my work.  For one, giving people a place of escape.  Second will be donating a portion of sales to initiatives for preserving forests and reforestation.  One organization is the World Wildlife Fund that works to protect millions of acres in the Amazon and throughout the world.  The second initiative is 1t.org which is involved in responsible reforestation efforts including making sure a diversity of trees are planted in suitable forest environments.  And I will gladly supply receipts for donations made to these initiatives.

 

The third way I hope to do good is through knowledge dissemination.  I have at least a few degrees and having studied several fields I have many ideas for getting the word out about how climate change is affecting the environment, how the environment impacts public health, and numerous other issues. 

​

Thank you!

​

~Marcus