A bumblebee moves quietly through the grass, carrying life from one bloom to the next, unaware of all that depends upon her. Around her Chahta symbols rise from the earth as culture blooming alongside the natural world. Pollen gathers on her body as evidence of a promise of what will grow after she leaves. This piece is about connection between the smallest lives and the largest ecosystems, between culture and land, and between what came before us and what we leave to bloom after us. Sometimes the things that we carry the most are the things we almost overlook. There is medicine in the mundane. A bee does not know the weight of her work. She simply does what she knows best. She teaches us that we are here for such a small moment, and still, something may bloom because we existed. She is not valued because she works hard but rather because she is in relation with us, fulfilling her place within the web of reciprocal relationships. Her ordinary existence is extraordinary as she nourishes generations beyond her.

About the artist:

Courtney has spent much of her life working closely with animals and the natural world, from years in wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary care to Native nonprofits to creative pursuits as an artist and musician.

Her beadwork, art, photography, and 16+ years in the holistic health field has shaped the way she approaches storytelling, weaving together creativity, care, ways to heal and relate to community, and a deep respect for life.

Her art explores themes of wonder, healing, respect, and the quiet lessons found in the rhythms of nature. Through her art and writing, she invites people to pause, reflect, and discover beauty in themselves and the world around them.

Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family, where the landscapes and the wild beings continue to inspire her work.