San Diego painter Molly Paulick uses visual art to communicate the complexities of the cultural and biological histories of place. Through studying the past and present diverse landscapes and ecosystems of her adopted San Diego home, her paintings reimagine the restoration of native plants alongside the horticultural history and development of her neighborhood.

Paulick’s large-scale collage paintings begin with a black and white aerial photograph taken from a viewpoint, often in and around Balboa Park. The photo is then layered with paintings of native plants found in that particular landscape, continually pushing and pulling the viewer’s focus. She places the plants strategically at the forefront of the panel to give an up-close look at the awe-inspiring complexities of the natural world that we often overlook amid our urban structures.

The magical yet realistic results reference the turn of the century romantic, picturesque landscape design style, championed by the first Balboa Park Landscape architect, Samuel Parsons. Through her paintings, Paulick embraces Parson’s charge to future generations of San Diegans: “to work always with an eye single to the conservation of the unusual beauties with which nature has peculiarly, and richly endowed this spot of earth.” 

In tandem with each painting, she deepens her love of San Diego through gardening with its native plants and volunteering with ongoing restoration projects throughout the city. She hopes her paintings generate conversation around how it is crucial for healthy living to infuse cities with biodiversity, and, most of all, opportunities to feel, touch, and work with plants. Molly’s work reminds us that when we help to restore and pay attention to the natural world immediately around us, we can restore our very souls.