Original 14”x20” pen, watercolor, and acryl-gouache drawing

Inspired by the endemic reindeer I encountered and the beautiful ice cave I explored on Svalbard during my residency at the Spitsbergen Artist Center in Longyearbyen, Svalbard. “Precious” challenges what we find to be of value and worth attention. While the diamonds are beautiful, they are not more so than the reindeer or the ice formations. If anything they pale in comparison to the artistry of nature and the life-force of a wild animal. When I explored the ice cave I remember thinking that it was like a cave full of diamonds, only more beautiful and precious because of it’s ephemeral and natural qualities.