Artist d'Ann de Simone finds a way to express a deep concern for our environment and planet through her artwork.

De Simone is concerned about the way our environment and planet is impacted by humans, especially when it comes to pollution. She worries that over time the natural and beautiful parts of the planet will fade.

"With these collages, I would pick up trash that I would see when I went running, and then I put the pieces together," de Simone said. "I want people to be aware of the impact they have on our environment and see it through a different perspective."

De Simone is an art teacher at Michigan State University. She has degrees from Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University and the University of Massachusetts.

De Simone's collage prints show a variety of handmade pieces and digitally produced prints. Her collage prints are pieces of different materials, like trash, from the environment that she puts together.

De Simone enjoys seeing her work displayed, and she enjoys talking to people about it, but she also feels that is risky.

"You have the risk of talking too much about your work to the point that you are telling the viewer how to see it," de Simone said. "There should be different interpretations, and you just have to find that balance."

De Simone always has loved painting and has wanted to be an artist since she was young.

"Growing up in Rhode Island, I would spend every day on the beach, and that caused me to fall in love with water and then portray that in my paintings," de Simone said.

Before starting a painting, de Simone never has a goal or idea in mind.

"I find something that interests me and I go with it," de Simone said. "Being an artist means you are always working, whether it is perfecting your work or thinking about painting something new, it takes practice and depends how you see the world."

She has also traveled to other schools to talk about her work. Art Gallery exhibit coordinator Emily Booth has put together the arrangements for this event.

"When planning exhibits, I take images and art to present at the art department Exhibitions Committee meetings, and then the committee as a whole decides what artist will be exhibiting at the gallery," Booth said.

Being able to introduce artists to the public and to exhibit their work is something Booth enjoys.

"I really like seeing the new, exciting works in person and getting to meet the artist," Booth said. "D'Ann de Simone's talk was wonderfully entertaining and thought-provoking. I had a great time visiting with her."

Selections of de Simone's artwork are on display until Nov. 17 at the River Campus Art Gallery located in the Seminary Building.