When we make a mistake, we ‘x’ it out. Writing, drawing, we have a need to physically destroy what has got awry. When you work with pen, there’s no going back, you need to start form scratch. What I’ve learned over the years in the process of making art is that crossing something out is not the answer- its best to use the mistake as much as possible and incorporate it into the work. The mistake can even bring about new inventions or creative ways to problem solve. ‘X’ is the mark that ultimately destroys. ‘X’ cancels forever. ‘X’ is what we are currently doing to our environment and sacred lands that surround us. We have an idea- a new project- a new development- a new dream- and we don’t let anything get in our way. This is causing eco-systems to be destroyed and with it- beautiful little souls. Cars race by on a stormy night and leave splattered bodies in its wake. Humankind has entered into an eco-system, perplexing it and leaving endangered predators who are no longer able to regulate the deer in the area. The deer graze and feast upon the wetlands, destroying the swamps and homes of salamanders, frogs and turtles. They’re left with lines of asphalt splitting their land. Water systems grow toxic due to fracking and the oil industry- as well as chemicals and factory waste. Amphibians are at the center of all this damage only to be seen as ‘slimy and gross’. Instead human kind chasing the ‘next big thing’ and speaking about their ‘American Dream’, the solution is right below us – taking care of the land we walk upon. This mural is about ‘X’tinction. About waking up, stopping our acts of cancelling nature, and growing together with the natural world. Tiger Salamanders are currently an endangered species within the Hudson Valley and are amazing, gorgeous creatures that need a little bit of love.

Annabelle Popa was born and raised in NYC and has a BFA in Illustration from the Parsons School of Design. She now lives in Kingston, NY. Her fantasy worlds and strange creatures are inspired by nature; they use allegory to communicate deeper meanings to viewers. She sees art as an exploration and adventure, and often it takes a life of its own by the end of the piece. She is merely a messenger who is able to peek into the vast unknown. Her art is based on folklore, fantasy, personal mythologies, and weird miss-moshed animal creatures. She tries to capture wild wonder, adventure, and the chaotic side of beauty. She makes an effort to paint atypical subjects in order to show another side of a story to get viewers thinking. http://annabellepopa.com

https://www.youtube.com/user/Fexazaur