Spring 2024, studying sonar maps of a riverbed in the Pacific Northwest. I was struck by the contrast between the river’s smooth, massive, natural flow over centuries and the precise, tight, digital lines used to measure its current speed and depth.

The technique of applying thick, smooth, concentric paint layers with a custom-cut curved trowel to capture the main flow, and then using a fine-toothed metal comb underneath to overlay the contrasting, mechanical-looking raked lines—was inspired by that duality of wild nature and human measurement.