"Essence of the Hazel Woods" (2024)

Drypoint intaglio print with selective inking. Printed with water based inks on Fabriano paper.
39cm x 50cm

Essence of the Hazel Woods' is an exploration of the intricate world within the hazel woods of the Burren, Ireland. The interwoven nature of these verdant woods has captivated me for years. Within the hazel tree clusters is a space teeming with moss, lichen, and fungi, all bathed in green. There is a certain magic to the place that I wanted to convey through line and tone, rendering the invisible visible through my art.

I was first introduced to this area of Ireland through a RISD summer study abroad program in 2016 led by RISD Illustration professor, Robert Brinkerhoff. It was through his illustration course, 'Investigating Myths and Legends of the Burren' that I learned of the Burren College of Art and the memorable hazel woods near the college. I came back to the Burren in the fall of 2023 to pursue an MFA in Art and Ecology, and graduated this April. This print was created in my final year of my MFA, and was a way of paying homage to the very hazel woods that drew me back to Ireland.