Episode 14 is all about the incredible and amazing Eco Artist, Mariah Reading of the great state of Maine! Back in February, Melissa headed north, where the two of them set out on not one, but two amazing adventures in one day – first an icy 5-mile walk and talk around Long Pond in Acadia National Park, over on the quiet side Mount Desert Island, and second, a minutes-long Wim Hof inspired dip in the frigid Atlantic Ocean. Yes, really!
On the walk we learn all about Mariah’s experiences painting lansdcapes on found trash as artist in residence at Zion, Denali and Acadia National Parks and while visiting other amazing and far-flung places like Antarctica! The appreciation she gained for Nature’s beauty while being immersed within these parks creating art, has now inspired her to work at a greater capacity within the National Park System as an Interpretive Park Ranger. In this role she teaches park visitors about the local ecology, geology and the vast cultural history of the indigenous peoples of each specific place.
As an Eco Artist, Mariah is dedicated to being as zero waste as possible, and over the course of their hike, we learn a ton about Mariah’s process of making her beautiful work, as well as the multitudes of creative ways she reuses and repurposes materials to create them with.
This episode has it all, including some hot tips on cold water swimming, and tons and tons of geologic facts about Maine. So dive on in, it’s a fun one!
SHOW NOTES / USEFUL LINKS:
Gossamer Gear Discount — use code “GIRLGOTTAHIKEGOSSAMER” for a 1-time, 15% off discount on all core products at GossamerGear.com
Where to find Mariah Reading:
Mariah Reading Art – website
Indigenous Peoples:
State and National Parks:
Other Artists & references:
Heidi Annalise – Altoid Tin Artist
Lou Bolin – body painter
Jenny Browne – Texas Poet Laureate
Celia Garland – Artist, Naturalist, Storyteller from Antarctica
Alexa Meade – body painter
Sean Yoro – LA based, Hawaiian born artist, also known as Hula