Backyard Secrets
Michelle Newby Armstrong

Artist Statement:  A few years ago, I started a pollinator garden in my backyard. I was amazed at how quickly a variety of pollinators appeared. The first year, I saw bees, monarch butterflies, and eastern swallowtails. Last year, the echinacea brought goldfinches and hummingbirds and this winter when I cleaned up the garden, I discovered mushrooms. The pollinator garden and the plants and animals in my backyard in Kenwick have been a constant source of inspiration to me. And each of these living organisms have secrets that have been revealed to me slowly. For example, mushrooms are one of the few organisms that can thrive after an oil spill and sunflowers can assist in absorbing nuclear waste. Flies that we usually consider to be horrible pests, are pollinators and contribute to our supply of chocolate. Some people believe that crows are evil, but in reality they are very smart and will bring gifts to people who work to build a relationship with them. 

In this exhibit, I have used a variety of media to create the plants and animals I have observed in my backyard. I will share some of their secrets with the hope that others will learn about their value and strive to protect these organisms instead of destroying them or hurting them as is often the case. I have created some artwork using aluminum, copper, and wood. Other pieces that I have included are mixed media pieces created with spray paint, acrylic, printmaking, and cold wax medium. Recently, I began creating canvases filled with images created from paper quilling. The paper strips have been created with alcohol inks on magazine pages. I love being able to recycle magazines and books that might end up in a landfill and give them a second life as a work of art. I have also learned that paper quilling offers an endless opportunity for compositions and creativity. 

As you view this exhibit, I hope you will consider how each of these plants, animals, birds, and insects impact the earth and other living creatures and just how valuable they are even though some of them may have qualities we are not fond of. For example, skunks which can spray a nasty scent when threatened, eat a variety of garden pests and are scavengers. They will seek out animal carcasses which keep our ecosystems free from carrion. Dandelions are considered to be an ugly weed and an eyesore in our perfect lawns by some, but they are edible and help with a variety of health conditions. Dandelions grow in poor soil and will continue to grow until the soil is rich with nutrients. Ferns are one of the oldest land plants. They first appeared almost 400 million years ago. A fiddlehead fern will provide about 34% of the vitamin C we need. Despite the mischief created by racoons, these masked mammals also assist with pest control, carrion clean up, and seed distribution. Most birds and insects do the important work of pollinating our plants thus providing fruits, vegetables, and flowers for us. If you look at nature and remember that all living things are connected, you might begin to see how much humans benefit from other living creatures and feel inspired to protect our planet.
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Artist Bio:  Michelle Newby Armstrong is the visual arts teacher at Cardinal Valley Elementary school. As an activist and artist, she combines her understanding of art and the power that it has to bring beauty and convey a message. She has collaborated with a variety of artists and organizations to celebrate art in the community. Through these efforts she has created many public works of art and has exhibited in several local galleries and hosted workshops, celebrations, and exhibitions. Michelle’s studio is located in LuigART Studios in Lexington, KY where she is fortunate to spend time with several talented artists. Her artwork is often inspired by nature with the hope that we can learn to work together to create a healthier planet.