Drawn to their distinct pleated foliage and towering sprays of blossoms, I first encountered dense stands of corn lilies (veratrum californicum) while hiking through a meadow in Sequoia National Park. These native perennials are found in Eastern Sierras and other western regions. Although considered toxic and somewhat invasive, these plants contain a unique alkaloid used in clinical trials to treat certain forms of cancer.

In this series, I explore the dramatic contours of their foliage. These paintings suggest biomorphic shapes, geologic patterns, rhythm and movement. In painting them, I also ask: Where is a plant considered a weed? When is it welcomed in the wilderness but unwelcome in a cultivated environment? These plants provoke questions about desirability and valuation. Painting them allows me to coalesce my love for color, paint, and the natural world.