Global Warming Art

Perspective view of "Arctic" and "Desert" art together. The ice sheets empty melting water into the ocean, and the desert sheds runoff from heavy rains which collect sediment in water bodies.
Perspective view of “Arctic” and “Desert” art together. The ice sheets empty melting water into the ocean, and the desert sheds runoff from heavy rains which collect sediment in water bodies.

My watercolor art took a sharp turn into plaster this summer. With the warm dry weather I was able to work outside where the plaster and resin would be easier to clean. I created a design which was inspired by the braided curving river flows in Iceland. The runoff from higher elevations would lose energy in the flat coastal lands and then bend and weave through black volcanic earth to make intricate patterns looking like veins. See Andy Mumford website for incredible landscape photography of Iceland. I re-used the design for the desert, which was cast in plaster as well from the original mold. The waterfall is made of resin and the plaster cast of the landform is supported by styrofoam skinned with plaster. The resin base helps to protect the plaster, which has a tendency to crack until it is supported. These two pieces will stand the test of time.

The earth, however, may not stand the test of time. With our industrialization of the world, humans have caused global warming from greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. Many countries and people are working to reduce their carbon footprint, but many are not; see https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-greenhouse-gas-emissions. We are all in this together. We need to take climate change seriously to save the glaciers, rainforests, and Earth One for the sake of our children. Here are ten simple choices you can make: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/earthday.html

"Arctic" topographic art showing ice sheets melting, a sculpture made with plaster and resin.
“Arctic” topographic art showing ice sheets melting, a sculpture made with plaster and resin.
"Desert" topographic art showing desert soil eroding from floods, a sculpture made with plaster and resin. Watercolor was used to create shadows.
“Desert” topographic art showing desert soil eroding from floods, a sculpture made with plaster and resin. Watercolor was used to create shadows.
Top down less reflective view of resin art sculptures
Top down less reflective view of resin art sculptures