“Herky in the Wildflowers” invites viewers to pause, appreciate, and contemplate the transient and exquisite nature of life and our remarkable state. Each bloom reflects the intricate details of Iowa’s wildflower diversity, prompting a deeper connection with the ever-changing beauty that surrounds us. Through this artistic endeavor, I aim to inspire a profound appreciation for the natural wonders of Iowa and the fleeting moments that make life truly remarkable.
Lori Steffens is an Iowa City area native who studied Art at the University of Iowa prior to discovering a passion for Healthcare Administration. She has been employed by UI Healthcare for the past fifteen years and currently is serving as the Research Support Manager for the Department of Radiology. In her free time, she continues to pursue art enthusiastically, through drawing, photography, jewelry, printmaking, fiber arts and other mixed media. Through her unique and diverse creations, Lori seeks to share her perspective, emotions, and the beauty she finds in the intersection of art and life. You can explore the atmospheric noise of Lori’s imagination and her eclectic art at www.atmospheric-noise.com.
As an Iowa native born and raised, I have always been in love with the quiet beauty of the state’s natural landscape. The wildflowers told a story of the seasons, with the Pasque flowers and the Prairie Dandelion signaling the end of the prolonged winter, a myriad of Phlox, Coneflowers, Lilies and Coreopsis heralding in summer, and the black-eyed Susan and Sneezeweed gracefully bowing out as the last flowers before winter’s embrace. Ever changing, these flowers told me a story of life – a tale of birth, death and rebirth encapsulated in a perpetual cycle within a diverse and breathtaking wilderness. In my art, I have always worked to capture fleeting moments, what I call atmospheric noise, those subtle nuances that surround us, often unnoticed. To many, flowers may merely be decorative elements, enhancing the landscape when in bloom. However, to truly observe a flower is to grasp the transient nature of its existence, acknowledging that its beauty is a fleeting gift, and that life itself is equally transient and beautiful.
Having photographed and drawn flowers for years in pursuit of capturing these moments, I seized the opportunity to utilize my Herky statue as a canvas to bring awareness to the ephemeral nature and beauty of Iowa wildflowers. “Herky in the Wildflowers” stands adorned in over 1000 individual flowers comprised of over one hundred varieties of native Iowa Wildflowers. At the heart of this vibrant creation is the Iowa state flower, the Prairie Rose (Rosa patrincola), featured prominently over Herky’s heart and woven throughout the entire piece. To create a visually striking contrast, I emphasized the colors of the University of Iowa, showcasing a palette of black, gold, and white.
Lori Steffens is an Iowa City area native who studied Art at the University of Iowa prior to discovering a passion for Healthcare Administration. She has been employed by UI Healthcare for the past fifteen years and currently is serving as the Research Support Manager for the Department of Radiology. In her free time, she continues to pursue art enthusiastically, through drawing, photography, jewelry, printmaking, fiber arts and other mixed media. Through her unique and diverse creations, Lori seeks to share her perspective, emotions, and the beauty she finds in the intersection of art and life. You can explore the atmospheric noise of Lori’s imagination and her eclectic art at www.atmospheric-noise.com.
As an Iowa native born and raised, I have always been in love with the quiet beauty of the state’s natural landscape. The wildflowers told a story of the seasons, with the Pasque flowers and the Prairie Dandelion signaling the end of the prolonged winter, a myriad of Phlox, Coneflowers, Lilies and Coreopsis heralding in summer, and the black-eyed Susan and Sneezeweed gracefully bowing out as the last flowers before winter’s embrace. Ever changing, these flowers told me a story of life – a tale of birth, death and rebirth encapsulated in a perpetual cycle within a diverse and breathtaking wilderness. In my art, I have always worked to capture fleeting moments, what I call atmospheric noise, those subtle nuances that surround us, often unnoticed. To many, flowers may merely be decorative elements, enhancing the landscape when in bloom. However, to truly observe a flower is to grasp the transient nature of its existence, acknowledging that its beauty is a fleeting gift, and that life itself is equally transient and beautiful.
Having photographed and drawn flowers for years in pursuit of capturing these moments, I seized the opportunity to utilize my Herky statue as a canvas to bring awareness to the ephemeral nature and beauty of Iowa wildflowers. “Herky in the Wildflowers” stands adorned in over 1000 individual flowers comprised of over one hundred varieties of native Iowa Wildflowers. At the heart of this vibrant creation is the Iowa state flower, the Prairie Rose (Rosa patrincola), featured prominently over Herky’s heart and woven throughout the entire piece. To create a visually striking contrast, I emphasized the colors of the University of Iowa, showcasing a palette of black, gold, and white.
The house of DOTŁ’IZHI
The house of DOTŁ’IZHI is a unique boutique in Iowa City offering handmade indigenous arts, clothing, bespoke jewelry, home decor, and more. It’s not just a store; it’s a welcoming space where you can also attend workshops on cultural teachings and crafts, fostering understanding and connection between indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
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