Wildflowers on Nailcan | Nat Ward
In Wildflowers on Nailcan, I return to the familiar, rugged slopes of Nailcan Hill—a place of constant observation and discovery. This work is a study in the resilience of the local undergrowth, where the delicate presence of wildflowers punctuates the weathered, tangled textures of the bush.
Working with oil and cold wax on paper allows for a specific atmospheric depth.
The paper’s surface becomes a vessel for the wax’s translucence, capturing the filtered light of the scrubland. I build and incise the layers to reflect the physical complexity of the hill’s terrain, where every twisted stem and burst of color tells a story of survival and renewal. Framed in museum-grade glass, this piece is an invitation to pause and look closely at the 'quiet miracles' of our local landscape—the small details that define the enduring character of Nailcan Hill.
52cm x 62cm (framed in museum grade glass 74cm x 84cm) no 7 Oil and wax on paper
Artist Note
Look for the 'bursts of color' among the tangled textures. This work is a record of a specific place; allow your eye to settle into the layers, noticing how the wax captures the filtered, shifting light unique to the slopes of Nailcan Hill.