Studying the hyper-local ecology around me

This study was about learning which California plants are native to the ground I walk and live on around my home in San Diego, California. I spent time in the Natural History Museum’s Herbarium, my local Marston and Florida canyons, around Balboa Park, and the Kumeyaay Interpretive garden at San Diego State University to study and draw these plants in their natural habitat. I then photographed them in a close up intimate setting to reference for painting. These plants became more like “portrait” studies. I have grown a profound respect for each and every 708 species that have existed in my zip code pre-European contact…and it’s brought me great joy to seek them out and bring a new perspective to these plants we often overlook.