Native Wild Spaces

From 2017 to Present

Artists are intrinsically tied to the land and I am no exception. Instead of painting large expansive landscapes, I have always been drawn to places and spaces in between that are more intimate and detailed. These are the native wild spaces that are often overlooked because they are messy or hidden but no less important. There is magic in the chaos.

watercolor of native Gray Dogwood in autumn, white berries, leaves turning cranberry and deep purple

Where The Catbird Sings

Watercolor on 300lb 100% Cotton Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
36” H x 30.5” W. Framed. © 2022 Kristin Maija Peterson I 2500 USD

ABOUT THIS PIECE
I never know what will catch my eye during my morning walks. Surprises that stop me in my tracks keep me in the moment just as every living thing around me is doing right now.

Often I don’t know the names of the plants that grab my attention. Is it native is the first question followed by please don’t let me fall in love with an invasive species again! There is conflict and controversy to be found there.

A little research tells me this is indeed a native, the Gray Dogwood which happens to be anything but gray this autumn morning. The gray reference is denoting its bark. Not very imaginative in naming, right?

As it turns out, Gray Dogwood is a very adaptable shrub and excellent for naturalizing complex sites such as ponds and stream banks. It blooms creamy white clusters of flowers in May followed by white berries in late summer. Birds such as flicker, tanger, woodpeckers, and catbirds all enjoy and quickly eat the Grey Dogwood’s fruit. The Grey Dogwood also makes for an ideal shelter and nesting habitat.

Turning the Gray Dogwood into a tapestry of watercolor has been one of my more time-consuming projects. Seven weeks in the making. I was lost in the woods.

Thicket No. 2

Watercolor + Graphite Pencil on 300lb 100% Cotton Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
14” H x 29” W. Framed. © 2017 Kristin Maija Peterson I 650 USD

ABOUT THIS PIECE
I created a number of thicket-themed pieces using a limited color palette. I have always loved the galls that inflict goldenrod stems as they change colors from greens and pinks in summer to deep sepia in the fall. I also like to include a few inhabitants who occupy a Midwest prairie biome.

Native Wild Spaces I prairie plants series

After The Frost

The Crown

Watercolor + Graphite Pencil on 300lb. 100% Cotton Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
31.75” x 23.75” I Framed I 2300 USD
2019 © Kristin Maija Peterson

Lady in Waiting

Watercolor + Graphite Pencil on 300lb. 100% Cotton Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
22” x 15” I Unframed I 1500 USD
2019 © Kristin Maija Peterson

Guardians

Watercolor + Graphite Pencil on 300lb. 100% Cotton Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
34.5” x 27.5.” I Framed I 1700 USD
2019 © Kristin Maija Peterson

ABOUT THE SERIES

There is something about wild native plants and the metamorphosis that happens after the frost has done them in that makes them amazingly beautiful. I wanted to illuminate wild native plants in a higher light as they perform many vital services even in death. They may have seeds for birds to feed on throughout the winter and their hollowed stems can be a place for beneficial insects to hibernate. Holding the soil with their deep roots, they keep it from washing away when the snow melts in spring. Their decaying bodies return to the soil, nurturing it for the next generation of wild native plants.

Native Wild Spaces I non-human architects

What Animals Create

Nursery

Graphite Pencil on 300lb.
100% Cotton Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
22” x 15” I Unframed I NFS
2018 © Kristin Maija Peterson

Temporary Housing

Graphite Pencil on 300lb. 100% Cotton
Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
35” x 27.635” I Framed I 1700 USD
2018 © Kristin Maija Peterson

Collateral Beauty

Graphite Pencil on 300lb. 100% Cotton
Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
35” x 27.625” I Framed I 1700 USD
2018 © Kristin Maija Peterson

art-drawing-japanese-mystery-snail-shell-decorated

Mobile Home

Graphite Pencil on 300lb. 100% Cotton Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
29” x 26” I Framed I 1700 USD 2020 © Kristin Maija Peterson

ABOUT THIS PIECE
We are just beginning to learn about the emotional and intellectual lives of animals. Not just mammals but invertebrates like squid and octopus have them, too. (Watching the documentary film My Octopus Teacher is a testament to this).

Who is to say a simple common snail wouldn’t want to adorn her shell? As if inspired by William Morris’ designs and philosophy that we should all be surrounded by beautiful things to improve one’s well being, she more aptly took from her surroundings, the delicate fern and mosses, wrapping them around her home just so.

ABOUT THE SERIES

Humans aren’t the only creatures who build or create things. I wanted to take an up-close look at the things animals build, from the galls that insects make out of goldenrod stems (as in Nursery), to bird nest design to a warning about invaders like Japanese Beetles (as in Collateral Beauty). Each of these is drawn upwards of 300% of the subject’s actual size and each piece took over 60 hours to complete.

large detailed drawing of bull thistle flower head by kristin maija peterson

Basket

Graphite Pencil on 300lb 100% Cotton Hot Press Fabriano Watercolor Paper.
29” H x 34” W. Framed. © 2019 Kristin Maija Peterson I 3000 USD

ABOUT THIS PIECE
This piece was produced for a unique exhibition, entitled IN YOUR ELEMENT organized and curated by The Natural Heritage Project. Artists selected for the exhibit were provided their own GPS location (sent via USPS) to travel to and to commit at least an hour in the natural setting they designated to observe. After their time spent “in their element,” artists were asked to create a work of art in the medium of their choosing based on their observations including research, and prepare a written statement about their experience and findings.

My GPS location took me to what I later discovered as Standing Cedars Community Land Conservancy, south of Osceola, Wisconsin. This land is protected by a nonprofit organization led by a diverse group of St. Croix Valley residents committed to protecting and preserving the incredible quality and diverse biomes of the Lower St. Croix uplands from over development and for future generations.

The specific spot at the land conservancy I was observing and later discovered is called Buffalo Skull. That made me tingle as while I was there, in the quiet hum of insects and crickets, I swear one of my first visions was buffalo (lots of buffalo) that roamed here a century before.

If I were to go back and revisit this assignment, I may have done a composition of a large buffalo herd grazing. But that’s not the direction of my work. I was drawn to the back underside of dead bull thistles that made me think of woven baskets. Baskets for holding, gathering, giving, and receiving. Reciprocity. Indeed, that land had been rescued from agricultural use and appeared to be resting.

Because of its sandy rocky soils and seed resources, that land has reverted, supporting a surprising number of native species. We take care of the land and the land takes care of us. Think what you will about bull thistles. Some would argue they are invasive. To others, they love the big puffs of purple bloom thistles produce.

Thistles could be the symbol of reciprocity. In exchange for a place on this earth they are noteworthy for their high wildlife value, producing copious floral resources for pollinators, nourishing seeds for birds, like goldfinches, foliage for butterfly larvae, and down for lining birds’ nests.

TEN PERCENT

10% of all Terra Kind Studio’s annual sales of original artwork and prints are donated to nonprofits working on environmental and climate change issues. By supporting this local artist, you can have beauty on your walls while doing good in the world.

All artwork shown on this website is protected by copyright law and can not be reproduced without expressed written permission by the artist.
If you like what you see here, be kind and share but don’t steal.

ABOUT

Terra Kind Studio showcases the creative work of visual artist and designer Kristin Maija Peterson. Growing up among prairies, lakes, rivers, and oak savannas along with her project work with environmental nonprofit organizations have collectively influenced her creative path. Kristin works in watercolor, graphite, color pencil, oil pastels and pen and ink, interpreting in detail the beautiful chaos within native wild spaces and its inhabitants found living there. She sees all living creatures as kin and is always kind to spiders.

Contact the Studio

e: hello@terrakindstudio.com
p: 651 318 7100

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