Old Growth New Growth

Chinook Elementary School
Muckleshoot Reservation
Auburn, Washington
Washington State Arts Commission
2024

Old Growth New Growth

A composition of native plants creates an oasis of vibrant color and growth within Chinook Elementary School. The timeless beauty of the Pacific Northwest landscape is brought to life in the forest background with delicate ocean spray creating a lacy pattern. Maidenhair fern frames the upper right corner and the western sword fern curves out dramatically at the center.  A spray of new growth cedar spreads out in vibrant green contrasting the beautiful red maple branching out below it.  Salmonberries peek out from the foliage. Violet Lupine reach up from the base of the mural and nettle grows out beyond the frame.  A young fern it spirals out in the foreground. A Goldfinch flutters in the trees. Floating within this ecology of plants phyllotaxis plant growth patterns create space and movement within the painting. These patterns make visible the systems that create life. Mathematically generated shapes are drawn and applied in different perspectives creating this unique vision. The painting is framed with wood strips painted to look like the traditional Muckleshoot reed cattail mats with a cattail sprouting out on the right side.  This artwork honors old growth, new growth, traditions and learning.