From her studio on her family farm in Opelousas, artist Mare Martin has dedicated her art to the natural world around her. Beyond the Botanical, a new exhibition at the Hilliard Art Museum in Lafayette, is an opportunity to showcase her connection with nature’s creative spirit as her source for ideas, subject matter, and wellbeing.  

Hilliard: Your work often explores plant morphology and natural cycles—blossoms, stems, leaves, roots. What draws you to these organic forms?

Mare Martin: Cycles are an everyday affair in nature and in life, and capturing nature gives my work a purpose. Nature is ephemeral, experiences its life cycle, and then dies. By taking this gift that I have and running it through a source that I can touch, feel, see, and become intimate with, I can then create something permanent with appreciation and celebration. 

I’ve been fortunate to have painted a whole gamut of nature, from landscapes while being caretaker of a farm in Spain, the wildness of New Mexico while living in an artist community, and full circle back to the lush greenery of my origin in Louisiana.

Hilliard: How do you begin your creative process?

Martin: I work from the source as much as possible. The actual plant with a name is the idea, then I’ll expand on that and try to get deeper into what this plant is.  I don’t contemplate the style of the work much, whether it is linen, oil, drawings or ink transfer; it is more about the energy I get from the first connection that tells me how the artwork is going to present itself.  

The source coming to life is the most important, so I don’t limit myself to only mediums I’m used to. For example, lately I’ve been using technology and projections, which my grandsons and nephews introduced me to.  

Hilliard: Tell us more about your exhibition at the Hilliard Art Museum. 

Martin: The works in the show are organized around five themes: Gardens Landscapes and Skyscapes; Elements, Realms, and Forces; Seasons; Portraits; and Crawfish Corner. “Portraits” is more personal to me than just saying “botanical drawings,” as these individual plants deserve their own unique study.  

The crawfish works are also good examples of my connection with nature. Crawfish chimneys are the most incredible mystery on the face of this earth. I’ve got a fever for crawfish chimneys. When you think about how a crawfish digs through solid earth, it’s a miracle. I’m completely taken in a spiritual way. They deserve for us to say grace before we eat at a crawfish boil.   

I graduated from UL and am proud to return for this exhibition, with a new audience to take in the collection.  

Beyond the Botanical, an exhibition as part of Fall at the Hilliard, is on view starting on September 13, 2025.  Learn more at hilliardartmuseum.org.