Art Inspired by Nature and Memories
Talia Drury grew up in the midwest and received her Bachelor's in Industrial Design from Iowa State University and is currently pursuing her MFA in Furniture Design from The School of American Crafts at Rochester Institute of Technology.
She has focused her interests in art and mark-making around her memories outside as a child and her continuing curiosity to learn about what exists outside as she wanders different wooded paths.
Talia currently resides in Rochester, New York where she continues to make work inspired by seeds and other small objects she finds on her walks.
Artist Statement
My work is rooted in my connection to the natural world, nurtured by early experiences with my grandparents on their wooded property. These walks with my grandmother—gathering seeds, identifying trees, and discovering the beauty in small details—ignited my passion for nature’s subtle intricacies. This sense of discovery has since become central to my artistic practice.
I continue to explore these themes by collecting seeds, leaves, and other natural materials, finding inspiration in their textures, patterns, and forms. My work amplifies these minute details, transforming overlooked aspects of flora into central elements of my pieces. Through both painting and wood carving, I seek to cultivate a deeper relationship with the natural environment—not just for myself, but for those who experience my work. By elevating these quiet, often unnoticed elements of nature, I aim to remind others of the beauty that surrounds us, inviting them to look closer and rediscover the world around them.
Ultimately, my practice is an evolving dialogue between myself and the natural world, combining personal memory with material exploration. In my pieces, nature becomes both subject and medium, creating a tangible connection between environment and experience.