Mycelial Connection: Art and Meaning
29 October, 2026
Art and Meaning
Greetings, Earthlings! I know it's been quite a while since my last post. I have been extremely busy, participating in eight(!) exhibitions this year. I've also made some new art, most of which has been featured in previous posts. However, my recently finished piece, Mycelial Connection, has not been introduced. Because some of you may not be familiar with the term 'mycelium', I thought I would include a bit of explanation.
I'm not one to say, when asked about the meaning of my art, 'It means whatever you think it means.' While that is ultimately the truth, I don't think it's a very good way to get people to engage with your work. Also, the deeper meaning of my work is a very important part of the reason I make it; why would I want to keep it a secret?
Interconnection
In previous posts (for example: Butterfly Effect: Mystical Interconnection, My Why: What I Have to Say, Eco-Art: How I Choose to Say it), in my artist statement and biography, on my artworks page, and my instagram posts, I have explained at length that my work is about the interconnection of all things. You probably already know this, but if you need clarification, you might want to follow those links.
Mycelium
Mycelium, though, is a word that has come into more common usage over the past few years, as scientists have discovered some pretty amazing facts concerning their functions in forest ecosystems. To put it simply, "a mycelium (plural: mycelia) is the vegetative, root-like part of a fungus that consists of a mass of branching, thread-like filaments called hyphae, that weave together into an extensive underground or internal web." (Wikipedia)
Mycelia act as the fungus's main feeding and digestive network. Secreting enzymes to break down organic matter, they perform a primary role in decomposition. In addition, mycelia form vast complex networks together with the roots of trees and other plants, allowing plants and fungi to exchange chemical messages and nutrients.
Here is a short video that may explain it better:
“They are eating rock, making soil, digesting pollutants, nourishing and killing plants, surviving in space, inducing visions, producing food, making medicines, manipulating animal behavior, and influencing the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. More than ninety percent of plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi.” ~ Merlin Sheldrake, How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds, and Shape Our Futures.
I have to shout out to the television series Star Trek: Discovery for envisioning mycelia as the fabric of the universe, and the universal 'superhighway' that enables the starship to 'jump' from one location to another. Of course, the guy who invented the spore drive is named Paul Stamets!
The Work
I've been thinking for a long time that I wanted to incorporate mycelium into one of my pieces, since it's perhaps the ultimate example of interconnection on our planet. Nature has always been my inspiration, and the recent scientific research and discoveries about mycelium are very exciting, at least to me. The more we find out, it seems, the more obvious it becomes how important it is for us, as humans, to acknowledge that everything is a part of everything, and to act accordingly.
The mycelia in this painting are not the main subject matter, but I liked highlighting this important agent of connection, if only in a surreal/fantasy context. At first I thought of showing the mycelia growing through the girl and the ocelot all the way up to the moon, but then realized that would probably look super creepy, which is not what I wanted. But, if you look closely at the pattern in the girl's dress, you might notice little white squiggles somewhat reminicent of mycelia.
In the end, I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out. And don't be surprised if you see more mycelia turning up in my future paintings.
Until next time, wishing you peace, love, and art!
Further Reading:
― Paul Stamets, Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World
--Kathryn Hulick, Secret forest fungi partner with plants — and help the climate (Science News Explores)
Absolutely magnificent marriage of art and science. Your words, images, and message are a seamless testament to the power of creative energy when guided by your focused professionalism. Someday we'll chat about my work with (my word) Scientivity. My marriage and work with groups bring the two worlds into conscious awareness...a variation on what you are offering here. These are the times. We are creating a record of these times. 🌳🌲🌳