The Story Behind the Subject: Invasive Common Reed Grass

My common reed grass painting is more than an illusion - the plant itself is a hidden trick. What looks like a native, beautiful fixture of the landscape is actually an invasive species wreaking havoc on North America’s ancient ecosystems. Years ago, I painted these “fluffy feather dusters” without a second thought. Now, I see them as a wild card threatening a story thousands of years in the making.