By Chance Austin-Brecher, Canyonlands Restoration Supervisor
It can be easy to let nature become an afterthought in our daily lives. Most people spend a good portion of their days indoors and the only time spent outside is spent moving from one building to another. It makes sense why there’s such a mental and physical disconnect between our world and the natural world, but that disconnect? It’s not real! It’s completely made up! Our world is the natural world and you’re as much a part of nature as the birds hopping around your porch looking for snacks or the weeds popping up between the cracks in the sidewalk. It’s really worth remembering every once in a while that plants are quite literally responsible for the air that we breathe.
Re-establishing our connection with nature is hugely important to not just your mental health, but also to the world we all share and that’s what makes it hugely important to all of us folks here at Canyonlands. It’s one of the reasons why we decided to make our big fundraiser a way to help you re-establish your connection with the great outdoors. It’s the main thing we’re raising money for in the first place. By participating in the Nature Challenge and Hike-a-Thon, you’re helping us create an equitable entryway for underrepresented people to form a connection with nature through restoration jobs and paid internships for local high school students. These are career opportunities that not only provide people with valuable work experience, but they also help to create and maintain accessible green space for our communities.
With this mission in mind, it became important for us to have a signature image for the Nature Challenge & Hike-a-thon that would embody the common ground between the natural spaces we share, and the opportunities for inspiration within them.
Local artist, Ines Nefzi was the ideal person to create this image. Not only does she have a rich background working with San Diego's youth through art, but her own artwork combines the complexity of nature's beauty with the inner humanity of her portraiture subjects. Who better to help us re-establish our roots to the earth than somebody who has devoted her life to highlight them? It’s why we were so excited to work with her and why we’re excited to share some of her story and ideas with you here:
How did your journey with art begin? Additionally, what’s your journey with nature been?
My journey with art began as a child.
With Precious Moments coloring books and crayons.
With the encouragement of family and teachers.
I always pursued self-expression through painting and eventually many other art forms.
My relationship with nature began early, thanks to my Grandparents.
They had a Rancho in Tecate where I spent the summers with my cousins exploring the mountains, hiking up trails, carrying large branches as protection from coyotes and rattlesnakes.
Now, interacting with nature grounds me and allows me to step out of the hustle and bustle of city life, to recoup a peaceful state of mind. Observing different species of plants, birds, and insects gives me a feeling of pure awe. Sometimes I laugh at how excited I get about a wildflower or bug. I relish the moments when I can sit quietly and enjoy the natural sights and sounds.
Could you talk a little about how art and nature intersect for you?
Observing and admiring nature is a key part of my creative process. Through sketches and paintings, I feel my connection and appreciation of nature strengthen. When I see a butterfly such as a Swallowtail, I marvel at its beauty and honor it through a painting. We are a part of nature. Somehow, as humans, we have separated ourselves from Mother Nature but in reality, we are intertwined. I like to incorporate human elements in natural subjects and vice versa because it just feels right, and it allows me that creative license to incorporate my imagination into the work.
Where do you see the role of art in generating social and environmental change?
I believe that the environment inspires the artwork and the artwork reflects society. In my work, the vibrant colors and beauty intrigue people, and once they look closer, they learn about a specific species or plant. I spend so much time and attention on the subjects and that translates to the viewer. The artwork is my way of persuading others to connect with species native to San Diego.
Throughout history, artists have documented issues, stories, and conflicts of their times. Through this design, it shows society what we value and care about. No matter what happens, the California Gnatcatcher is immortalized, with special thanks to the efforts of San Diego Canyonlands.
How did the design for the Canyonlands Nature Challenge come to you and what was the process like for creating it?
The main character in the Canyonlands Nature Challenge is the California Gnatcatcher, which is also the logo for San Diego Canyonlands. The plant species were carefully chosen by Canyonlands Staff who work in the habitat restorations. They shared their photos taken on-site in different canyons and open spaces. It was easy for me to delve into the endangered subject because I have highlighted other local endangered wildlife, such as the Quino Checkerspot butterfly in my previous work.
The California Gnatcatcher is so special and I felt it through how interns, staff, and volunteers talk about it. Brandon, a high school intern in Canyon Connections described his experience beautifully and related to the way the bird is “small but mighty”, as did I.
Working with Outreach Manager, Jillian Quint through the design process was intimate, meaningful and intentional. Once we narrowed down the species, I visited the Navajo Canyon Trail with my son to experience the flowers and cacti with my own eyes. We kept an eye out for the elusive CA Gnatcatcher but we haven’t spotted it yet. The cacti part came easily, I’ve painted them so many times before, and grew up eating the Tuna fruit. Ultimately, this design was a project that was so aligned with the purpose and themes of my work, that it flowed easily. I am pleased to contribute to this organization that does crucial work for our local habitats.
Follow on Instagram @createdbyinesnefzi
Register FREE for the Nature Challenge & Hike-a-thon and raise funds to win special edition merchandise with artwork by Ines Nefzi.