Introducing Art for Wild Places
There’s no better place to begin than here... on the Bluff, brush in hand... painting a river otter gliding through Latah Creek. On May 17, I’ll be painting live as part of Brush on the Bluff, but more than that, I’m launching something close to my heart: Art for Wild Places—a new project where storytelling, conservation, and creativity meet.
Art for Wild Places lives at the intersection of story and stewardship. The idea is simple: I interview land stewards and conservationists, create paintings inspired by their stories, and donate artwork to support the missions behind them. Starting this journey in one of Spokane’s most beloved wild spaces feels like the perfect beginning.
The Conservation Story: From Simple Vision to Community Movement
What started as a small gathering of artists sketching outdoors has grown into something powerful. Brush on the Bluff now features more than 50 artists and welcomes over 2,000 attendees each year. It’s a joint effort between Friends of the Bluff—a local conservation nonprofit—and the Botanical Alchemists, an artist duo who help curate and coordinate the creative side.
The Friends of the Bluff lead outreach, gather volunteers, and work with other conservation groups to protect the land. The Botanical Alchemists, Sarah and Ava, first joined the festival as participating artists. “We make a lot of nature art on the Bluff,” they shared, “and draw great inspiration from this super-special natural area.” After their first year, Friends of the Bluff invited them to help lead the creative direction, and since then, the festival has grown in both beauty and impact.
The Human Element: Stewards of the Bluff
People who walk the Bluff speak of it like an old friend. For Sarah and Ava, the Botanical Alchemists, it’s a place of deep creative and emotional connection:
“Winter, the Bluff is a white crystalline wonderland. During bundled walks, we find sunshine bouncing off a carpet of snow and spot the occasional Bald Eagle flying far overhead. Spring, the Bluff wakes up in shades of blue camas and yellow Arrowroot Balsam flowers. Bees and birds are busy making nests and gathering pollen. Summer, heat kicks in and Ponderosa Pine smells sticky sweet in the sunshine. As autumn comes around, colors shift to tones of red and orange. Chipmunks and marmots begin gathering fruits and seeds of the summer to prepare for the winter ahead. Each season offers effortless beauty and grounds us deeply with Mother Earth.”
The land shifts with each season and those changes inspire both art and care.
The Art Connection: Wildlife Along Latah Creek
As I walked the trails and listened to the stories behind this place, a scene began to take shape in my mind, one of coexistence. This stretch of land is home to river otters, redband trout, and countless other species that depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems.
That’s the heart of the piece I’ll be painting live at the event, a visual reminder that we don’t just visit wild places; we belong to them.
The Botanical Alchemists captured it best:
“We believe that people PROTECT what they CONNECT with. And art is one of the greatest connectors for humans to the natural world.”
That’s exactly why this matters and exactly why Art for Wild Places was born.
Conservation in Action: Transforming the Bluff
The Bluff’s transformation is one of grit and community love. It was once used as a dumping ground and off-road track, but today it thrives as a beloved habitat. Friends of the Bluff have helped lead this shift by organizing nature walks, hosting cleanups, reducing wildfire risks, and improving public access through education and signage.
Even the smallest acts make a difference. As Sarah and Ava reminded me:
“If someone goes walking and simply picks up bits of trash and cigarette butts along their way, they are contributing in an easy and meaningful way.”
Looking Forward: The Future of Art for Wild Places
This is just the beginning.
In the coming months, I’ll be sharing conversations with conservation leaders from groups like Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and Bridges to the Past and maybe even a few surprise guests. Each interview will inspire a new painting, slowly growing a body of work that tells the story of the wild places we’re lucky enough to protect.
If you know a land steward, conservation professional, or nonprofit whose work deserves to be highlighted, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a note, this project grows stronger through shared stories and community connections.
How to Get Involved
-
Come to Brush on the Bluff on May 17, 2025, and watch the otters and trout come to life in paint
-
Follow along with Art for Wild Places on my blog and social channels
-
Support Friends of the Bluff through art purchases, volunteering, or direct donations
-
Keep an eye out for new artwork and upcoming interviews
-
Be a steward. Picking up even a little trash while you're out walking really does help
A Final Note of Gratitude
Huge thanks to the Friends of the Bluff and the community that pours energy into this event each year. Their love for the land is what makes events like this possible. I am honored to be part of it, and I hope to see you on the Bluff this May, where creativity and care come together in the wild.