Creatures (2023-202?) is an ongoing sculpture series that meditates on the ecology of the pacific northwest. In making these critters of all sizes I meditate on my personal relationships to them as well as the larger human/nonhuman entanglements they have now and have had throughout their natural history. Some of the pieces have functional elements to their design, others are solely sculptures. I use advanced hand-building and carving techniques and integrate natural things as tools in my practice (creek stones, sticks, bones etc.) allowing the impressions and shapes of natural forms to have a impact on how these creatures come to be. Many of these sculptures are integrated into my domestic space. Having, for instance, ceramic slugs climbing the walls of my apartment does make me think more each day about my responsibilities to local ecology and conservation. I think eco-art is an important tool not only in how it can increase our knowledge of the world around us but even just in how it can get us thinking about the environment in the first place. Many systems try to break down our relationships to the natural world and try to numb us to rampant environmental destruction and cultural loss. Any way we can rebuild those connections, including through art, can be vital.