Brigitte De Marco

As an Arizona artist, I am particularly inspired by the natural diversity in my home state: the striking contrast between the desert cacti of Phoenix and the mountain pines of Flagstaff. My fascination with the natural world became strongest after I studied art and education at Northern Arizona University: The natural world is so striking there it was impossible not to become obsessed! I have turned this life-long appreciation for the natural world into an expression of gratitude for all the little things: A particularly colorful sunset, a cactus flower that blooms for just a day, the sight of rain from a distance all seem to leave the same word on my lips: “thank you”. Having grown up in a world where the destruction of the environment is a constant looming threat, these little moments found in nature seem so significant to me. The moments to be thankful for are endless! I use bright colors, expressive movement, and exaggerated texture to encourage other people’s appreciation and gratitude for the natural world, the instances we may otherwise take for granted.