I am a nature-inspired artist working to deepen my connection with and understanding of the environment through the creation of woodblock relief prints. In nature, each interaction between organisms contributes to the composition of ecosystems. These actions are irreversible, resulting in a response or reaction that defines these ecological relationships. When I carve, each cut is insignificant on its own, and unlike most other mediums, can not be undone or concealed. Each mark informs the next, interacting with others to eventually create a cohesive image.

My work focuses primarily on species native to the Northeast. As I grow more familiar with the plants and animals that share this home with me, I feel a deepening sense of responsibility to protect them. Research is an important part of my process; I spend time learning about each species’ behavior, habitat, and ecological role.

Visually, my prints lean into texture, using wire brushes, stippling, and small repetitive marks. I approach carving intuitively as opposed to planning each mark precisely, so that the process feels more exploratory and natural. While my large-scale works are printed with black ink and feature a greater variety of organisms, my smaller scale works are multi-color reduction prints that center one particular species.

I prioritize environmentally conscious choices in my materials and methods, working with sustainably harvested Shina plywood and scrap pieces for my miniature works. I also use safe-wash printmaking inks and vegetable oil/soap for cleaning. I am currently experimenting with making my own inks from natural earth pigments and nori paste as a way to further align my materials with my environmental values.

At the heart of my practice is an exploration of interconnection, the understanding that no species exists in isolation, each playing a role in shaping ecosystems and, in turn, our shared experience as a part of the natural world. By taking the time to consider native species, I invite viewers to develop a deeper awareness of the local ecosystems they are an intimate part of. Through this attention, I hope to foster a sense of care and curiosity that can grow into lasting stewardship.

Aurora is a Rhode Island-based woodblock printmaker whose work is driven by a deep curiosity for and connection to the natural world. Drawing on her background in Environmental Science, her prints are grounded in ecological research and invite viewers to consider the intricate relationships between native species, their habitats, and ultimately our role as part of the environment.

Aurora received formal training in relief printmaking through coursework at Simmons University and Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and has continued to develop her practice since graduating in 2020. She has since completed three Big Ink workshops creating large-scale woodblock prints, been featured three times on Speedball Art’s social media through week-long content takeovers (specifically focused on educating about relief printmaking techniques), and had her print American Bittern (2022) accepted into the Worldwide Printmaking Exhibition 2023 in Dover, New Hampshire. 

Her work will be featured in SouthCoast Almanac magazine’s Spring 2026 issue as the imagery for an article focused on six different native species. In addition to her studio practice, Aurora teaches private woodblock printmaking lessons from her home studio, sharing the beauty of this unique process with others.