Galena's Horseshoe Mound Public Art Project

"The Earth has Music for those who Listen." ~ George Santanaya

I was honored to be invited to create artwork to be on one of six benches installed at Horseshoe Mound Preserve in Galena, IL. The benches are made of indigenous oak and were crafted by area craftsman Larry Cording.

This beautiful scenic area is one of the highest points in Jo Daviess County.

The mission of the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation is to conserve and enhance natural wildlife habitat, cultural heritage, agricultural character, and the scenic vistas of Jo Daviess County and the surrounding area for future generations.

My design was intended to show the geology of the area, so I depicted the Mound itself, the Galena (formerly Fever) River, a cardinal, a cone flower, monarch butterfly, a tree frog, snail, bumble bee, a grasshopper and dragonfly in an early autumn landscape painted in a whimsical style. This acrylic painting on wood was outside of my comfort zone, but I had fun with it. My first public art project.

Looking forward to seeing all of the art benches at the grand opening at the end of September, 2014. 

Paleolithic snail rendering, this snail only lives in the driftless area.

Galena River from a reference photo a tourist took from a hot air balloon!