“Cascading Clouds” came about on the evening of the 4th of July in 2025. I had just wrapped up my 5th annual Art With Belle pop-up in Tofte where so many familiar faces came out in support of myself and my practice. It had been an exceptionally amazing day that was only possible because of a family I consider to be an extension of my own, and I was feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude and peace while winding down later that evening back at Cascade Lodge. I had caught a glimpse of the sky out the window while reading in the lobby and just knew it was going to be a signature North Shore cotton candy sunset. I stepped outside, camera in hand, ready to head down to the rocks to collect my thoughts with the lake and capture the last light. I recorded a little instagram story to thank everyone for showing up and showing out this 4th and for making me feel so loved. When I looked up, the clouds had been painted with the most elegant lilacs and blues, backlighting the unique silhouettes of the pines flanking the lodge. This pine stuck out in particular. Looking up at her, I felt so assured and grounded in that moment. This pine has seen me come and go from Cascade over the last 5 years, and although each year that came before had been joyful, this one managed to encapsulate all of the time I’ve spent forging relationships with some of the most beautiful individuals whose lives are centered around the North Shore. I always say how grateful I am to have been accepted into this community, and I truly mean it with my whole heart. My intention behind this print is both to honor that evening and the emotions I felt while lingering in all of my thoughts outside of Cascade, but I also hope that this print resonates with those who are passionate about the pines that live outside their own windows. The ones standing tall and strong, reminding us to be resilient all year long.
 
With a Reductive Screen Print, I approach it first by sourcing and drawing my image on Procreate to be able to play around with how many layers and types of colors are needed for the work. A rectangle is exposed onto a silk screen coated in photo emulsion to establish the matrix or base of the piece. I then use screen filler and a paint brush to paint what I would like to save of the original paper color in the first layer, or do a full rectangle color as my base. With each passing layer, you paint in more and more of the screen in order to save the previous color laid down in the print. By then end, most of the screen has been painted in, leaving just the finest details for last. Typically you work from the lightest color to the darkest, but there’s room to play around with transparencies and colors throughout the production of the print. Once this edition has been sold, no more can be made since the matrix has been destroyed.