Susan J. Applegate
 Susan Applegate is a descendant of the trailblazing Applegates who were one of Oregon’s most influential pioneer families; the Applegate name is connected to many places in Oregon. Susan has a keen interest in northwest ethnobotany. Much of what she has learned she taught herself from botany books as well as personal experience. She also worked with Esther Stutzman, a Kalapuya elder, for ten years learning how the Kalapuya use native plants. Susan uses nature journaling to engage students in observational drawing, using shading, coloring, transfer, and simple printmaking techniques for use in student made journals. From sketches and close observational drawings, students are encouraged to create artworks in drawing, painting, and poetry, based on analogies and metaphors derived through associations with traditional uses of native plants, trees, and food sources.
Land, People & Community Through Ethnobotany Susan encourages students to understand the history of Oregon’s native people as well as its pioneers through the study of native plants. She teaches common and scientific names of native species as well as their historic and current uses. She teaches students how to weave simple mats from cattail; make natural dyes using blackberry, Oregon grape, and alder bark; as well as learn about native food sources such as acorns, berries, camas, miners’ lettuce, and wild mint. Students record these native plants using various art techniques--observational drawing, shading, coloring, simple painting, and poetry writing--in a personal nature journal. CONTENT STANDARD CONNECTIONS: The Arts: Aesthetics and Arts Criticism, Cultural & Historical Connections, Create, Present & Perform English: Writing Social Sciences: History; Geography |