Art and Nature
Discussion with Wyatt hersey
Describing himself as a naturalist, ornithologist, river watcher, illustrator, designer and painter, Wyatt Hersey captures the connection between man and nature in his work. Through a palette of simple yet powerful colours, he seeks to celebrate the power of life on earth.
Since his graphic universe is so closely linked to our collection theme, we thought it essential to talk to him about his perception of life and its environment.
Can you introduce yourself in a few words?
My name is Wyatt Hersey, I’m a visual storyteller with a practice based in illustration, painting, design and muralism.
"My art is a celebration of the interconnectedness between man and the earth and our natural instinct to create. These days you can find me walking my dog along the creek, painting in my studio or searching for coyote tracks in the wild."
Your graphic style is instantly recognisable. Where does it come from?
I think it comes from years and years of creating images regularly, and being inspired by other artist’s work during that time. I think everyone who has a strong style has those two ingredients: artists who inspire them and who they sort of emulate and LOTS of time spent making work. I’ve been really inspired by different artists over the years who have influenced the way my work looks, some of whom are Nathaniel Russell, Louis Lambert (3ttman), Jim Houser, Margaret Kilgallen to name a few. Over the years they have shaped my work and combined with my own voice to create my unique graphic style.
What are your influences and inspirations? How do your compositions come about?
I’m very inspired by my love of the natural world, and traditional art practices across the globe. I really resonate with folk art and ancient art as I feel it often has the same graphic language I love to use, and it is typically more focused on human culture, and people’s connection to the natural world. My compositions usually arise from the simple act of drawing in my sketchbook. I love to draw with no intention or goal, and that is where I am able to come up with ideas and play with compositions.
How would you describe your relationship with nature and living things?
I see myself as part of a large web of life on this mysterious and wonderful planet. One of the greatest unexpected gifts I received through my study of ecology and of nature is a deep sense of belonging. By understanding the plants and animals, the weather, and landscapes and how they all interact and affect each other has allowed me for a deep sense of intimacy with all of the earth’s creations which is an incredibly grounding experience.
One of the greatest unexpected gifts I received through my study of ecology and of nature is a deep sense of belonging.
Where does this connection with nature in your work come from?
My connection to nature started with my parents who also love the natural world and raised me to love it too, but it was developed much further as I was a teenager and into my college years. I fell in love with hiking and started learning about birds and trees and flowers when I was about 18 but it wasn’t until I moved to Olympia, Washington when I was 21 that things started to become more clear. While I was there I felt disconnected from the environment because it was so different from what I grew up with, and I wanted to investigate that feeling of disconnection. Through that search I found mentors who taught me a very specific process for creating a connection with a natural environment, and that is when it became a conscious choice I made.
What do the words "better together" mean to you?
To me Better Together is a message of mutualism, which means that we are all stronger when we work towards a common goal, and have a mutual understanding that we all need to spend a little time now and again supporting our fellow people. If everyone had a more mutualistic perspective in society I think things would be much better off on many levels. Unfortunately our capitalist context drives us apart, and the corporate powers that be want us to be separate so we can more easily be exploited.
California is a region of the world that is rather fantasised about in terms of environmental diversity and ecology. What can you tell us about it?
I was just talking to my girlfriend about how bizarre it is to be living in Santa Cruz, living this lifestyle that is idealized around the world. California is such and amazing place, and I think a big part of the reason it is idealized is the influence of Los Angeles in pop culture, but it is an amazing climate, the landscape is one of the most varied in the whole country, and there are a lot of opportunities here for people. On the flip side itt is really expensive here, especially along the coast and it’s getting to the point where it is really prohibitive for a lot of people to make a living here. If you can make it work, it is an amazing place to live and I feel blessed that I get to call California my home. I will never leave!
What do you think about considering nature and living things from a global perspective?
I believe that considering nature and living things from a global perspective is imperative if we are going to continue to survive as a species. I think David Attenborough’s idea that we need to conserve 30% of Earth's land and ocean area as protected areas by 2030 in order to prevent a catastrophic extinction event. I take solace in knowing that in California we are almost already there thanks to our vast National Forests, and other protected lands.
If we came to visit you in California, where would you take us? Which places are emblematic for you, which inspire you the most?
Well I would start by showing you around Santa Cruz and the Bay Area, but ultimately I would have to take you to the Sierras. The mountains are my favorite place in all of California and if you ever come visit you must go experience them!
Which work would you say is most emblematic of this connection with nature?
I think all my work speaks to our collective connection to nature, but one of the best is my calendar I designed for Parks Project a couple years ago. It contains 12 illustrations of national parks, the landscape and wild creatures that live there, as well as people interacting with the land.
Wyatt Hersey
