Art Studio Investigation of Flora and Fauna in an Artists Environment

Abstract

An exploration and investigation into how a study of flora and fauna, in a local environment, might impact an artist’s studio work was the impetus for this arts-based autoethnographic study. To collect data the artist-researcher played the dual role of an artist and a researcher. She documented her process of art making with photos, sketches, and narratives, reflecting on her practice, in a visual art journal. Data was gathered using descriptive field notes from three locations: from a 400 acre natural preserve which is the artist-researcher’s local environment; the Chicago Botanic Garden; and in the artist-researcher’s studio. Additionally, the researcher conducted interviews with nine working artists to gather information about their art making processes and influences. Through a combination of simple content analysis and constant comparative method, the artist-researcher concluded that artistic practice is influenced by an awareness of environment, and insightful reflection.