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The Middle of Somewhere: An Artist Explores the Nature of Virginia
There’s no such thing as the middle of nowhere. Everywhere is the middle of somewhere for some living being. That was Suzanne Stryk’s mantra as she journeyed through her home state on a mission inspired by the reflective, encyclopedic sensibility of Thomas Jefferson’s book Notes on the State of Virginia.
While acknowledging the moral contradictions in the founding father’s work and life, Stryk offers a contemporary interpretation of Virginia’s ecology from a visual artist’s point of view. She kayaks pristine swamps in river country, wanders the galleries of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, hikes rocky trails across the Appalachians, and strolls the dusty streets of old coal towns. She encounters frogs, millipedes, ravens, dragonflies, sparrows, turtles, and many other species that claim a particular place as home.
Weaving in historical anecdotes and personal memories, Stryk relates her encounters with these beings in their “somewheres.” The creatures in their habitats and the people she meets are characters in the book, a tapestry of essays, lush sketches, and ephemera. Stryk’s multimedia collages, composed of dead bugs, tourist pamphlets, road maps, pressed leaves, rusty farm equipment, animal bones, and handwritten directions, all artistically arranged over USGS topographic maps, bring the narrative to life.
Stryk’s personal accounts and conversational tone make readers feel as if they are traveling across Virginia with a friend, one who is at times funny and at other times deeply reflective. She invites us to travel slowly, tread lightly, and look closely at each somewhere that defines a place.
While acknowledging the moral contradictions in the founding father’s work and life, Stryk offers a contemporary interpretation of Virginia’s ecology from a visual artist’s point of view. She kayaks pristine swamps in river country, wanders the galleries of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, hikes rocky trails across the Appalachians, and strolls the dusty streets of old coal towns. She encounters frogs, millipedes, ravens, dragonflies, sparrows, turtles, and many other species that claim a particular place as home.
Weaving in historical anecdotes and personal memories, Stryk relates her encounters with these beings in their “somewheres.” The creatures in their habitats and the people she meets are characters in the book, a tapestry of essays, lush sketches, and ephemera. Stryk’s multimedia collages, composed of dead bugs, tourist pamphlets, road maps, pressed leaves, rusty farm equipment, animal bones, and handwritten directions, all artistically arranged over USGS topographic maps, bring the narrative to life.
Stryk’s personal accounts and conversational tone make readers feel as if they are traveling across Virginia with a friend, one who is at times funny and at other times deeply reflective. She invites us to travel slowly, tread lightly, and look closely at each somewhere that defines a place.
- GenresArtNonfictionNature
256 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 5, 2022
Heart and Eye to Hand
This generously illuminated book is a treasure. Suzanne Stryk’s original, hand-wrought illustrations are enchanting and lovely. With scientific accuracy Stryk offers us an opportunity to see details rarely captured in photographs. And yet, unlike a textbook illustrator, Stryk manages to convey sincere emotion with each brushstroke and line. Her gaze is intimate, careful, thoughtful. She adds resonance by writing poetically about her practice and the ways in which the natural world inspires her to look closely.
Stryk shares a tradition with artists who draw and paint in order to see – to study, learn and remember. The spiritual state of close attention allows an artist to wonder and marvel. Time stops as she captures an insect’s antennae, each vein on a leaf. Heart and eye to hand – each mark is evidence of close scrutiny and great care.
One thinks of Durer’s “The Great Piece of Turf” [1503] famous for its careful rendering of each blade of grass, each leaf and flower. Especially in contrast to much of Durer’s more staid prints, this sketch in watercolor and gouache stands out as evidence of close engagement. The work of contemporary realist, Mark Leithauser, evidences similar care and feeling along with scientific accuracy.
Stryk looks. The result is ineffably powerful and moving.
Jean Hess
This generously illuminated book is a treasure. Suzanne Stryk’s original, hand-wrought illustrations are enchanting and lovely. With scientific accuracy Stryk offers us an opportunity to see details rarely captured in photographs. And yet, unlike a textbook illustrator, Stryk manages to convey sincere emotion with each brushstroke and line. Her gaze is intimate, careful, thoughtful. She adds resonance by writing poetically about her practice and the ways in which the natural world inspires her to look closely.
Stryk shares a tradition with artists who draw and paint in order to see – to study, learn and remember. The spiritual state of close attention allows an artist to wonder and marvel. Time stops as she captures an insect’s antennae, each vein on a leaf. Heart and eye to hand – each mark is evidence of close scrutiny and great care.
One thinks of Durer’s “The Great Piece of Turf” [1503] famous for its careful rendering of each blade of grass, each leaf and flower. Especially in contrast to much of Durer’s more staid prints, this sketch in watercolor and gouache stands out as evidence of close engagement. The work of contemporary realist, Mark Leithauser, evidences similar care and feeling along with scientific accuracy.
Stryk looks. The result is ineffably powerful and moving.
Jean Hess
April 19, 2022
This is such a fascinating book. I love Stryk's artwork and now I want to see her most recent exhibition again!
I really loved this book and being able to see and hear the experiences that went into the art pieces that I had seen.
I highly recommend this book, and any of her artwork if you get a chance to see it.
I want to buy this book and send it to many people!
I really loved this book and being able to see and hear the experiences that went into the art pieces that I had seen.
I highly recommend this book, and any of her artwork if you get a chance to see it.
I want to buy this book and send it to many people!
October 23, 2022
What a wonderful book! I thoroughly enjoyed "following" the author around Virginia, virtually participating in her explorations of the natural world and learning about her process of drawing and painting what she finds.
May 10, 2024
Braiding Sweetgrass with an artist’s touch, honoring the diversity of Virginia’s natural wealth.
An artist at work, forging her knowledge and curiosity of the natural world with a mission to creatively link her works to the locale.
A quietly uplifting collection of essays, each offering this reader a calming moment of gratitude.
These three describe the impact of this intimate account of a Virginia artist Rebecca Stryk’s efforts in creating an inclusive exhibit of statewide natural riches.
While my familiarity with many of these venues offered quick connection, Stryk’s narrative welcomes involvement and engagement, encouraging the reader as a participant or partner in her travels, not an observer. Her insights and enthusiasm for both art and the beauty of nature is contagious.
But don’t read it all at once. The essays in this collection are best enjoyed individually, a calming meditation at day’s end.
An artist at work, forging her knowledge and curiosity of the natural world with a mission to creatively link her works to the locale.
A quietly uplifting collection of essays, each offering this reader a calming moment of gratitude.
These three describe the impact of this intimate account of a Virginia artist Rebecca Stryk’s efforts in creating an inclusive exhibit of statewide natural riches.
While my familiarity with many of these venues offered quick connection, Stryk’s narrative welcomes involvement and engagement, encouraging the reader as a participant or partner in her travels, not an observer. Her insights and enthusiasm for both art and the beauty of nature is contagious.
But don’t read it all at once. The essays in this collection are best enjoyed individually, a calming meditation at day’s end.
October 10, 2023
Thanks to Barbara Kingsolver and her list: Read Your Way Through Appalachia (http://tinyurl.com/2h2s9w8x) I discovered this incredible book. Stryk is an incredible artist and this book is a testament to her love of nature, Virginia and Thomas Jefferson.
I am still awestruck and it has been awhile since I read this. If you are interested in any of those three things, you should try to find this book.
I am still awestruck and it has been awhile since I read this. If you are interested in any of those three things, you should try to find this book.
January 10, 2023
Full disclosure, I have studied art under Suzanne for many years. Her love of bugs, birds, and all things nature as well as her breadth of knowledge and artistic expression is inspiring. This book is a joy and will have you looking at nature through the inquisitive eyes and open heart of a child. I'd like to share a message I sent to Suzanne last evening: "I just turned to page 112 in your book and while inspecting the critters, a little gnat ran down the page! In surprise I brushed it off then busted up laughing because, you know, your beautiful book and story is about communion with nature! This book is so delightful, I hear your voice and feel your presence in every word and piece of art. You are a gift my friend!"
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews