“Layers of the Land”
Drawing from natural pigments sourced directly from the Central Oregon landscape, Wildheart’s Layers of the Land creates a sweeping, atmospheric composition that mirrors geological strata and the subtle shifts of the high desert environment. The work invites travelers into a quiet moment of connection with place—honoring the land’s resilience, complexity, and deep time.
Wildheart Designs is a husband‑and‑wife public art studio known for creating durable, site‑responsive works that blend material storytelling, lighting, and immersive spatial experience. Gabrielle Wildheart brings classical training from the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, an apprenticeship in painting conservation, an MFA in Fine Arts, and more than two decades of large‑scale mural experience across the Pacific Northwest. Kevin Wildheart contributes expertise in building, sculpture, engineering, project management, and installation. With long‑standing ties to Oregon and the Smith Rock area, Kevin grounds the studio’s work in regional knowledge and craftsmanship.
“I’m an earth pigment painter, which means I create my own paint directly from mineral pigments, sustainably harvested from my local ecology. When I saw the opportunity at Remond Airport, I immediately envisioned how I could bring my work to the space. I proposed an idea that centers on the core values of my practice- environmental stewardship, earth pigment, and the sacredness of nature. I knew that if I were selected, I’d be excited to dive deeply into the project for an extended period of time, getting to know the local landscape and available pigments. When I learned that I’d been selected, I was ecstatic! It feels amazing to be supported not only in creating the work that is most meaningful to me, but also in raising awareness about ecological stewardship and sustainable art practice. I hope my installation brings as much joy to its viewers as I will inevitably have creating it.” – Gabreille Wildheart
Natural pigments are colorants derived directly from the earth: minerals, rocks, soils, clays, and plants which are carefully ground and processed into paint. Each pigment carries the distinctive geological and ecological qualities of its place of origin.
For this project, pigments will be sourced from Central Oregon’s soils, volcanic formations, and native plant life, bringing the literal material of the region into the artwork itself. Working with earth‑based pigments transforms the piece from a depiction of the landscape into an extension of it. The result is a work that embodies the land’s physical presence and reflects the cultural stewardship, natural resilience, and living geology that define the region.
Artist Voices
Audio and video clips coming soon!