Four Panel Series by Wendy Crescenzo Gomez

©2025 Wendy Crescenzo Gomez
Please do not use image without permission from the artist.

Soil Erosion, Sedimentation, Soil Erosion 2, Algae Bloom
24” x 18” Birch cradleboard, 1 ½”
Acrylic, sand, gravel. 
In Collaboration with Kevin Erb, Program Manager, Conservation Professional Training Program; UW-Madison Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute

As an artist, my creative process is rooted in spontaneity and intuition. I embrace playfulness in my work, allowing color, texture, and movement to emerge organically. Collaborating with water conservation professional Kevin Erb has deepened my appreciation for the intersection of art and science, inspiring me to explore the dynamic forces of water—its flow, disruption, and restoration.

Using acrylics, sand, gravel and modeling paste, I layered and manipulated paint to mimic sediment patterns, algae blooms, and the shifting health of waterways. Dripping, pouring, and gestural strokes with my non-dominant hand mirror the unpredictable nature of water itself. This piece serves both as an artistic expression and an educational tool, visually narrating the impact of conservation efforts.

At its core, my work celebrates freedom, experimentation, and the beauty of unexpected marks. I hope to invite viewers into a space of curiosity, encouraging them to see water—and its fragility—through a new lens.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Wendy Crescenzo Gomez is a student at UW-Superior. 

ABOUT THE WATER PARTNER

Kevin Erb is the Program Manager for UW-Madison Division of Extension’s Conservation Professional Development and Training Program. Based in Green Bay, Kevin holds an MS in Environmental Science and Policy from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and a BS from the University of Illinois in Agricultural Communications. Erb has worked for UW Madison and Extension for >30 years, focusing on ground and surface water contamination, manure management, and soil & water conservation. Kevin sees art as a way to open eyes to the impact that small changes in actions and behaviors can have on the environment.

Kevin leads a nationally-recognized program that develops on-line, classroom, field and hybrid professional development training for federal, state and local conservation agency staff, as well as the private sector consulting community. His interests include public/private partnerships to create market-based incentives for both ecosystems services and management improvements in private businesses that work with landowners. Please visit: http://conservationprotraining.org to learn more. 

MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH SUPPORT FROM