Hello! My name is Mariah Pogue.
Here's my Instagram
My admiration of Nature and wildlife is the foundation of who I am. I was introduced to nature through camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking and scuba-diving when I was really young. I'm almost 30 now, and my nature hobbies additionally include fossil hunting, birding, going on wildflower walks, collecting and Identifying fungus, mushrooms, and other natural materials, and just plain getting lost in the woods.
Wooolly lipfern (Myriopteris tomentosa) Palo Pinto Co. Oct. 2020
I received my Associates of Science degree from Weatherford College, have continued at Tarleton a couple of semesters and plan to return to finish my degree soon.
One of my favorite positions thus far in life has been managing a small privately state park store for almost 5 years. I enjoyed learning about the Cross-Timbers ecoregion, meeting people from all over the world, and helping folks enjoy the Nature the park had to offer.
Humming bird on Flame acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus)
As I've explored, I have learned to collect sustainably, always leaving some for other critters and regeneration. All the plant material, lichen and fungus I use in my art has been collected, dried, studied and carefully used. I am passionate about learning about nature.
Screenshot from video for LMWSP&T
Screech owl that returned our call during an Owl Prowl at Possum Kingdom State Park 2019.
My experiences and fascination with nature have meshed with my desires to be creative and that's how I started making jewelry and other artwork using a variety of mediums. I spend hours and hours thumbing through identification books, and searching for the scientific names of the natural material I use and collect.
During my time at the park store, I've volunteered at and lead interpretive programs such as The Owl Prowl, Night Sounds, Spider Walk, Spot the Nature Myth, and other nature-related events for TPWD. I was also blessed with a summer internship focused on nature interpretation. It was definitely a wonderful adventure.
Definitely a Pixy cup lichen, Genus Cladona
Found on our property in Palo Pinto, Texas Feb. 2022
A pendant I created using a Labradorite stone, false turkey tail fungi, lichen, crinoids, and a tiny mushroom.
In 2022, I filed for sole-proprietorship of Pogue Studios. My goals are to finish my education, continue studying lichen, fungus and mushrooms, run my small business, expand the variety and mediums of the items I'll be selling in my online shop :). I have big dreams of bird feeders/houses, macrame plant hangers, decorative wall hangings, decals, etc...
