Door County Ridges

18” x 24”

Acrylic paint

In Collaboration with Eric C. Kastelic, PhD Student in the Geological Engineering Program at the University of Wisconsin – Madison

I was inspired by the relationship between water and land, especially how the ridges create repeating lines of trees, grass, and water. These patterns reminded me of tree rings, which are shaped over time by the presence or absence of water. Seeing this similarity made me think about how natural processes repeat across different scales.

This piece includes a main landscape of the Door County ridges, along with two circular canvases. One represents a tree trunk and its rings, while the other mirrors the ridges as ring-like formations. Together, they connect the idea of growth patterns in both land and trees.

My process focused on creating a visually balanced composition while emphasizing how water shapes the environment. I’m drawn to landscapes and organic forms, and I wanted to highlight the subtle but powerful influence of water—something often overlooked but essential to these natural patterns.

Email: keira.nickel@gmail.com

Instagram: @art_by_keira.n