“There were moments when I wondered, ‘What am I doing?’”

That’s Ron Miriello, a San Diego artist and graphic designer, reflecting on his passion project, Found Adrift. This art installation is inspired by a scrapbook of seaweed created in the 1870s by a young woman in Searsport, Maine.

He says he had to silence his inner doubts and embrace experimentation in his art—a process not unlike scientific discovery.

“It’s all about nature and wonder and poetry and letting yourself go deeper to find out what nature’s trying to tell us.”

The exhibition blends original pages from the scrapbook with diverse mediums, including flowing panels of suspended fabric that mimic a kelp bed and layered abstract mylar prints.

“The real vision I had for the show was for people to say, ‘What the heck is that?’”

Miriello sees science and nature as essential sources of inspiration for his art.

Learn more about Miriello’s beautiful exhibition. Watch Found Adrift.