Living on a farm in Alabama, I often come across wildlife in various stages of the lifecycle: ⁣

Does trailing quietly behind their protective mothers, outgrown antlers shed each spring, and a seemingly infinite number of cicada exoskeletons. ⁣

A rare phenomenon known as a “Cicada Double Brood” occurred earlier this year. Billions of cicadas emerged across the American South and Midwest from April to June as the 13- and 17-year cycles of two different broods synchronized for the first time since 1803. For months, the low, constant hum of countless wings filled the air as they shed their exoskeletons and began the next chapter of their life’s journey anew. ⁣

In the words of Henry David Thoreau, the signs of life that I’ve collected over the years serve as a reminder to “live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”

I had the privilege of creating several works for the community of Serenbe, a biophilic neighborhood located in the Chattahoochee Hills outside of Atlanta, Georgia.

I drew inspiration from the five natural elements to design this chandelier, which is suspended above a fountain at One Mado. I built it using aluminum and added lights at the end of each stem, which are interwoven to create the illusion of movement as one climbs the staircase.

The branch-like spigots and steel handrails are by Gault Designs. Flynn Whitehurst crafted the concrete fountain and steel paneling with butterfly and tree limb motifs. The works were commissioned by Serenbe’s founder Steve Nygren as a “symbol of vitality and life.”

Handcrafted horn tools made from repurposed antlers collected on my farm and stainless steel finishes