Shaggy Mane Mushrooms with Cottonwood Leaves

This sculpture depicts a typical forest scene from Colorado. Plains cottonwood trees are native to Colorado so they are everywhere. Shaggy mane mushrooms, as well, grow in Colorado. Most people equate Colorado with the iconic views of the Rocky Mountains, to the red rocks of the fountain formation, but there is so much more! With my sculptures, I try to seek out the lesser known macro views of Colorado. If you pay attention, you will be witness to flora that you didn't know existed in the state. We have, for example, a myriad of mushrooms and fungus that grow in our forests. We also have at least six different wild orchids that are native to Colorado. The mushrooms and cottonwood leaves are constructed of clay. There are also wild rose hips that are clay as well. The base is made of a found piece of cottonwood bark from a downed tree. It is extremely important to only gather bark and wood from dead trees and only what is needed. It is my hope that through these sculptures, people can gain an understand of how diverse our planet is and how important it is to preserve our natural environments!