I reflected the theme for the Alexandria Library’s “Take a Seat” project of honoring America's 250th birthday and created a living garden—full of flowers and leaves overflowing with color. I was inspired by the idea that we live in the shade of trees we did not plant—an inheritance shaped by those who came before us. Just as the founders of the United States envisioned a nation that would outlast their own lifetimes, I see nature as a reminder of our responsibility to the future.

I use bright, vivid colors as an expression of hope rather than fear. They represent my belief that the future is something we can cultivate with intention, courage, and imagination. Through my work, I seek to encourage viewers to see themselves as both beneficiaries and caretakers. We are  part of a larger story still being written in the landscapes and country we shape and protect,   understanding that the full bloom may be witnessed only by those who come after us.

Solid white background images courtesy of the Alexandria Library, VA.

“250th Garden”, solid wood chair with acrylic paint (2026).