proud member of

NATIVE FLORA & FAUNA OF MENIFEE VALLEY
by Gayle DuRivage

Note: This design is a rough draft, not finished art. The final art would be more refined, and the medium would be acrylic paint, not crayon.

This design is a tribute to the native flora and fauna that once flourished in the Menifee Valley long before development impacted the landscape. I wanted my design to be a small moment of reflection – a lesson on the species that thrived here when the valley was open grassland, rocky hillsides, and rolling hills. I highlighted plants and animals that are truly indigenous to the region. Every species depicted was deliberately chosen to reflect Menifee’s original biodiversity: the ground squirrel, Western fence lizard, gopher snake, kangaroo rat, red-tailed hawk, coyote, bobcat, California quail, burrowing owl, desert cottontail, and Monarch butterfly. I included native plants, such as California poppies, lupine and scrub oak.

To frame the artwork, I added a band of triangular shapes at the top and a diamond pattern along the bottom. These motives are inspired by the traditional basket weaving designs of the Luiseño people, the original inhabitants of this region. Including these elements is my way acknowledging and honoring the indigenous community who thrived here long before modern development.

My hope is that this design encourages viewers to recognize and appreciate the natural heritage that still surrounds us, the ecological history, and also cultural memory.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

I am a local artist who has lived in Menifee for over 30 years. I raised a family, taught elementary school, cared for aging parents, and have worked with more art mediums than I can count. I painted murals in several schools and private residences in the area. I am gratified by the idea that making art creates something brand new in the world that never existed before. And I love color! I believe that color has energy and can affect your mental state. Therefore I like to use vibrant, beautiful colors in my art and I hope that it makes those who experience it feel joy.