This year’s design for the Hardrock 100’s 30th anniversary began as something entirely different. It featured the tallest peak and the darkest night sky—intended to explore the concept of individual shadow work. The piece was 95% complete when I felt an overwhelming need to scrap it altogether. For such a monumental anniversary, the original message no longer felt aligned.

During significant milestones, we often reflect on the community that helps us endure. With time comes wisdom—a gift to be shared with the next generation.

As I wrestled with the message I wanted to convey, one word kept resurfacing in my life: community.
“A tree does not grow alone. It is a community.”
– Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Onondaga Nation

There is no better illustration of this truth than the aspens near the Chapman Aid Station. In the 1970s, scientists began to understand the deep interdependence of trees. By 2008, it was confirmed that the largest living organism on Earth is, in fact, a grove of interconnected aspens.

I quoted Oren Lyons above—I could listen to him for days. In his animistic worldview, he speaks often about the origins of the U.S. and the destruction of forests/clear cutting. His quote, though often tied to reforestation efforts, touches on something deeper: specific plants and medicines grow around certain trees, supporting the wildlife that in turn taught humans how to feed and heal themselves. Don’t we, too, need the same water and sunlight to survive?

Like the course map, it’s all a cycle. When runners stand tall—as if alone—like aspens in a grove, we also see the crowd on the sidelines. We see the cycle of wisdom come alive. The teachers are there—Dale, Blake, Kirk, Betsy, Darcy, and so many more. We see the wide eyes of the next generation.

It’s my favorite moment. Let’s continue to be medicine for one another. None of us stands alone.

Porfidia of @modernancientdesign in partnership with true allies @Altrarunning and @Tailwindnutrition bring forth the 30th anniversary limited edition hat .

Click here to see Porfidia’s old growth (ancestral) wood creations.

Restoration in Progress

Acrylic on paper

When invited to create the Finisher Hat for the 2024 Hardrock 100 Endurance Run, the vision of American Basin and Paintbrush (Castilleja) came together immediately. When an image comes to mind so quickly, I know it’s given to me from Source and it’s my job to find the meaning. 

I have come to believe the message I am to convey is held within the profound symbolism in the names and characteristics of the subject matter portrayed. This place and plants, reflect deeper meanings about our history, relationships, and future.

Source wasn’t subtle in giving me the mountain range aptly named American Basin. With its intentional placement in the background it symbolizes outdated ways of thinking in American history. Immigrants came here with dreams of conquest and wealth, which resulted in the over extraction of resources for the benefit of some over others. 

The Paintbrush (Castilleja), with its striking red hues, plays the central role in this narrative. Once seen as almost parasitic, this plant actually provides profound ecological benefits. It fosters greater biodiversity in nutrient-poor environments and enhances nutrient cycling, making scarce resources available to the entire community. Additionally, it supports diverse soil microbe communities which benefit the entire ecosystem. Above ground, the Castilleja serves as a crucial food source for pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. It is plant medicine for humans used by Native Nations.

This plant’s role as a bridge, both above and below, mirrors the place of Native American people in contemporary society. Historically marginalized and considered less than, Native Americans must now be central in discussions about solutions for climate change. Like the Castilleja, Indigenous people offer unique solutions and are an immeasurable benefit. 

The symbolism of the American Basin and Castilleja in this painting urges a reevaluation of our relationship with the land and each other. We must move away from the mentality of conquest and ownership to embrace Indigenous wisdom which sees the land as a shared resource to be respected and cared for by all. We must work together to steward the Earth because all life matters. Now is the time to heed the lessons of the flowers and mountains, recognize the interconnectedness of all living things, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

See more of Modern Ancient Design, LLC here.

Here is more detail regarding my process and materials in creating sustainable art. I did not mention the wood used is more than reclaimed. It is old growth: “Old-growth wood refers to wood from trees that belonged to forests that grew up over hundreds of years. A majority of today’s lumber is harvested from trees that have been cultivated to grow rapidly, so the wood is not as dense. As a result, it is weaker and more susceptible to decay and instability. Old-growth wood has nearly ten times the number of growth rings per inch (meaning that it is much denser) and is more resistant to decay or damage.” Because of this, the jewelry is much more stable and strong.