CRADLE GENOMICS
San Diego, CA
An Indoor Mural
This mural at Cradle Genomics in San Diego was different than many of my other murals because I painted it indoors. This startup is creating a non-invasive prenatal genetic test that allows women to take a sample at home and send it in. The birds and the bees theme ran through the entire winter for me since this came off of the tail of the Birds and the Bees protection act Conversation Piece at the state capitol in Albany.
The Birds & The Bees
The connection beyond the birds and the bees theme is prevalent in the culture of the company. They have beehives on the roof (which I, of course, got to visit) and you can watch a live video feed of the bees in the lobby. The CEO Tristan Orpin is a long-time beekeeper and advocate. They work with Bee Leaf USA.
The Process
I was drawn to the project for many reasons, but probably the strongest was the connection between the bees and science. I do not have a scientist’s brain, but I am fascinated with how science is changing the world at a faster rate than ever before in history.
I was originally going to do something a bit more edgy with the DNA strand running through the mural, but as I thought about the people coming into the space with hopes, dreams, and anxieties about their unborn children, I decided to lean into the simple (and complex) beauty of the hive and the pollinators. I was drawn to helping create a beautiful and calming atmosphere in a situation that could be quite upsetting.
Moving Forward
The idea with The Good of the Hive was once meant to be an artistic challenge. I thought I would be reinventing constantly. But it is consistency that I am finding to be the most powerful element of the project. I believe in moving forward but I also believe in having stable elements to move forward from.
This never felt more true for me than when the pandemic began at the tail end of painting this mural. Who knew at the time what a mind-bending experience the rest of 2020 would be! I feel in many ways that it is only now- a year later- that my brain is catching up. The year that I set out to have from this point forward was very different than the one that ended up happening.
The Community
Highlights, both wonderful and ominous, were meeting some incredible people doing amazing work in the world. I also took a long walk along the landscape that supposedly influenced Dr. Suess to write his incredible book The Lorax. This was a frightening but fascinating book for me as a child. Dr. Suess was a true activist as well as an advocate for broadening the minds of even the smallest children with line, color, and story.
I am writing this one year after leaving to go paint it… but it feels more like three years ago.
