After I made the pinch pots, I refocused on some of the paintings I had in progress. I prioritized working on my mosquito painting, as since it’s a work on paper it will need to be framed, and framing it for the exhibition here at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine would be more impactful if the timing allowed! I also continued to visit different areas - primarily large animal and wildlife - to see if any new patients might make their way into my work. I attended the release of a wild black vulture who I’d had a chance to observe several times through the healing process. Wildlife releases are such meaningful moments, and I don’t think I’d ever get tired of participating in them.

July 4th was a Monday, and though it was a federal holiday, captive animals still need food, water, clean habitats, and/or treatments! This meant that I was invited to take a look at several endangered Louisiana pine snakes while they were undergoing routine veterinary testing and care. Later that week, I attended the July exhibition reception at the Baton Rouge Gallery of four different members’ work.

That weekend, the Baton Rouge Orchid Society hosted their annual show and sale, and I oohed and aahed over the specimens on display and purchased several new-to-me orchids. The event was held at the LSU Burden Center, so I also wandered their outdoor gardens until the heat drove me back to the studio! Then that evening I attended the LSU Glassell Gallery’s Bloom opening reception in the downtown Shaw Center for the Arts.

It is really exciting to get to see a variety of contemporary artists exhibit work regularly; I love that Baton Rouge has a sufficiently large artistic population and gallery presence to provide the opportunity to attend this many receptions during my time here.

Below is a photo of a live oak outside of the Baton Rouge Gallery festooned in ferns, lichens, and just being its own little ecosystem - I absolutely adore these trees, even though I’m also allergic to them! They’re iconically southern and also remind me of my grad school days. Then all the subsequent images are from the orchid show and the Burden Center!