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Mari Stauffer Howard

@maridara.bsky.social

496 followers 1.1K following 155 posts

Visual artist & illustrator…cat mom…happy wife…human rights & justice, climate justice. Iban/Swiss/American #decolonize ✨Art✨Cats✨Music✨ Foraging✨ Nature✨ Cosmos✨Gardening✨🛸✨ 🎨: www.maristaufferart.com

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Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

“For The Frames: Marasmius plicatulus” Ink pen & watercolor on hot press watercolor paper. #watercolor #penandink #mushroomart #fungiart #natureillustration #mushroomillustration #fungiillustration #marasmiusplicatulus

Photograph of a red picture frame with a black interior border, and a watercolor painting of similarly red mushrooms growing out of brown and ochre colored leaves.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

✨For The Frames: Turkey Tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor)✨ Ink pen & watercolor on Arches hot press paper. "Fungi make worlds. They also unmake them. There are lots of ways to catch them in the act."-Merlin Sheldrake #watercolor #penandink #mushroomart #fungiart #maristaufferartdotcom

Photograph of a rectangular watercolor painting of brown, ochre. And white turkey tail mushrooms on a bluish grey log, with a wash of ochre colored leaf duff in the background. The frame is white with some greyish brown wood texture showing through, and is in front of a backdrop of bay trees.

Photograph of a rectangular watercolor painting of brown, ochre and white turkey tail mushrooms on a bluish grey log, with a wash of ochre colored leaf duff in the background.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Work In Progress: new piece For The Frames-Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail mushrooms). Pencil & ink done, color (watercolor) next... #wip #workinprogress #watercolor #fungiart #mushroomart #turkeytailmushroom #trametesversicolor #natureillustration

Photograph of a black and white ink drawing of turkey tail mushrooms growing out of a log. The drawing is being held up in front of a backdrop of a forest of trees.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

For The Frames: ✨Amanita muscaria✨ (Micron drawing pen and watercolor on Arches cold pressed watercolor paper). #watercolor #penandink #mushroomart #fungiart #natureillustration #amanitamuscaria #flyagaric

Photograph of a small watercolor painting/illustration of an Amanita muscaria mushroom, growing out of a cluster of pine needles. The mushroom cap is red with white spots and the stem is off white. The painting is in a picture frame that is light colored:off white with a brownish linear pattern and texture. The photograph is taken under a forest canopy, and the green trees are visible in the background.

Watercolor painting/illustration of an Amanita muscaria mushroom, growing out of a cluster of pine needles. The mushroom cap is red with white spots and the stem is off white. There is no background and the subject is also drawn with black artists pen for the details of lighting and shading etc.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

First from my new project, For The Frames (creating pieces for thrifted frames): ✨Black trumpet duo. (Micron drawing pen and watercolor on Arches cold pressed watercolor paper). Really enjoying incorporating pen lately! #watercolor #penandink #mushroomart #fungiart #natureillustration

Photograph of two small black picture frames, each containing a watercolor illustration of black trumpet mushrooms. The frames are sitting on a surface outside, with green forests in the background.

Photograph of a watercolor of a cluster of three black trumpet mushrooms growing out of the ground, which has tan oak leaves scattered about…colors are browns and blues.

Photograph of a watercolor of a cluster of five (three large and two very small) black trumpet mushrooms growing out of the ground, which has tan oak leaves scattered about, and a small fallen branch behind the mushrooms…colors are browns and blues.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

New project: creating pieces for thrifted frames. First two: Black trumpets (Craterellus calicornucopioides). Ink is down, next is the color. #wip #workinprogress #mushroomart #fungiart #natureillustration maristaufferart.com

Photograph of a hand in the lower left of the frame, holding up a paper pad with two separate black ink drawings, each in its own drawn rectangle frame, of black trumpet mushrooms, growing out of the ground with various tan oak leaf litter.

Photo of a black and white (black ink on white paper) realistic drawing of three black trumpet mushrooms growing out of the ground, with tan oak leaves scattered about.

Photo of a black and white (black ink on white paper) realistic drawing of a cluster of five black trumpet mushrooms growing out of the ground, with various tan oak leaves scattered about.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Finished this one today: Trametes versicolor (Turkey tail mushroom)…a very cool growth pattern spotted during a past forest foray! #watercolor #mushroomart #fungiart #fungiillustration #natureillustration #mushroomillustration

Photo of a watercolor painting depicting a turkey tail mushroom growing on a branch. The colors of the mushroom are rings of browns and ochres and greys. The colors of the branch are greys and ochres, and the background is mostly a wash of browns.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

💕Happy 13th Birthday to our boys, brothers Tindu (left) and Manul! So grateful for these sweet, wise, and loving kitties, our babies, and thankful for their good health!💜 @joho1564.bsky.social

Photo collage of two pictures of two different (brother) grey tabby cats, with a black background peppered with colorful shapes that look like confetti.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Fun little (bird’s nest) fern today🌿 #patiostudio #penandink #inkdrawing #drawing #botanicalillustration #sciart #maristaufferartdotcom

Photograph of a sketchbook with a black ink drawing of a fern plant on the page. Behind the sketchbook is the blue sky and some trees, denoting the outdoor forest scenario of the photograph.

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

Guild of Natural Science Illustrators @gnsiart.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

There is one more month to see "The Art of Nature," an annual exhibit at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History! This year's exhibit features 52 local artists in a variety of mediums. santacruzmuseum.org/exhibit/thea... #SciArt

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

I had a lovely time at the Fauna First Friday at Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History! I'm grateful to be in the company of so many wonderfully talented artists and illustrators. And, of course, THANK YOU to my two helpers for everything! @joho1564.bsky.social

A woman sits at a table displaying her greeting cards, prints, and stickers of her mushroom & bird paintings, and pen and ink drawings of cats and aliens. The setting is a shady garden.

A man and woman sit at a table in a shady garden. They are helping to sell prints, greeting cards, and stickers for the artist whose works are featured on the merchandise.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

John @joho1564.bsky.social and I in our happy place…mountain forest time!

Photograph of a man and woman posing in front a mountain river, with the green mossy bank visible on the other side of the water.

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Looking for morels, found a ken doll head @maridara.bsky.social #mushroom #wildmushroom #fungi #wildfood #california #foraging #hiking 🍄 🍄‍🟫 #weirdfinds

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

Found some morels, ate some morels. So delicious! @maridara.bsky.social #mushroom #wildmushroom #fungi #wildfood #california #foraging #hiking 🍄 🍄‍🟫 #cookingsky #foodsky🧑‍🍳👩‍🍳👨‍🍳

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 07/04/2026

@maridara.bsky.social and a Morel! #mushroom #wildmushroom #fungi #wildfood #california #foraging #hiking 🍄 🍄‍🟫

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

@maridara.bsky.social, Heidi and I in Santa Cruz for Heidi’s birthday:) #santacruz #ocean #birthday

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

@maridara.bsky.social got her painting in the art of nature show at the Santa Cruz natural history Museum again! So proud❤️ #art #artsky #painting #mushroom 🍄‍🟫🍄 #santacruz #nature #history

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

@maridara.bsky.social and I in our happy place. #nature #hiking #beauty #rainforest #mountains #santacruzmountains #waterfall

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

@maridara.bsky.social and I in SF on a beautiful day. #sanfrancisco #coittower #baybridge #beautifulday #northbeach

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Very honored to have my Leccinum manzanitae (Manzanita bolete fungi) painting selected to be a part of this year's Art Of Nature exhibition at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History! More details to come #santacruzmuseumofnaturalhistory #fungiillustration #leccinummanzanitae #maristaufferartdotcom

Pink flyer image advertising for The Art Of Nature exhibit at the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, from March 28 to May 31, 2026. There’s also a small image of a watercolor painting of a manzanita bolete mushroom growing out of the tan oak and madrone leaf duff.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Work in progress: Trametes versicolor #turkeytailmushroom #trametesversicolor #wip #workinprogress #watercolor #watercolour #fungi #fungiillustration #natureillustration #maristaufferartdotcom

Photograph of an unfinished watercolor painting (mostly blue, grey, and brown colors) of a turkey tail mushroom growing out of a log. The painting is on a block or pad of paper and is being held up in front of a backdrop of a sunny forest.

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

@maridara.bsky.social and I lovin it #hiking #forest #nature #santacruzmountains

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

My latest fungi watercolor-Apricot Jelly (Guepinia helvelloides). First time finding this rare one! #watercolor #watercolour #fungi #fungiart #fungiillustration #mushroomart #mushroomillustration #natureillustration #apricotjellyfungi #maristaufferart #guepiniahelvelloides

Watercolor painting of an orange/peach colored jelly mushroom growing out of brown, grey, and rust colored redwood duff.

Photograph of an orange/peach colored jelly fungus growing out of grey and brown redwood duff.

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

@maridara.bsky.social and I lovin’ it❤️ #california #hiking #mountains #beautiful

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 03/02/2026

Trumpeting. #mushroom #wildmushroom #foraging #california #hiking

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

John Howard @joho1564.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

@maridara.bsky.social and sone trumpets. #mushroom #wildmushroom #foraging #california #hiking

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

All done. Ramaria apiculata (Green-tipped coral mushroom). #watercolor #watercolour #greentippedcoralmushroom #ramariaapiculata #natureillustration #illustration

Watercolor painting of a yellow coral mushroom with green tips, growing out of a dark almost black ground full of oak and madrone leaves, with an acorn on the ground in front of it.

Reposted by Mari Stauffer Howard

Becky Levine @beckylevine.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Just bought some of @maridara.bsky.social's awesome notecards--the drawings are from her #inktober work. I love these so much! Check out all her available cards and other art at www.maristaufferart.com

Five notecards - all ink in black & white. Each one has an illustration of one or more beings from some other planet, with a cat. 1) Inside/on an infinity symbol. 2)Dancing to music from a space ship radio. 3) Trying to read a book on which the cat is sitting. 4) Meditating with cat on head 5) Reading a book called Cats of Earth, in front of a cat.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

All done! Finally got around to painting one of my absolute favorite mushrooms. Manzanita bolete (Leccinum manzanitae)-watercolor. #leccinummanzanitae #manzanitabolete #mushroomillustration #fungiillustration #fungiwatercolor #mushroomart #natureillustration #maristaufferartdotcom

Watercolor painting of a reddish capped bolete mushroom growing out of brown, reddish brown, and grey leaves. The background is a blurry view of thin green forest.

Color photograph of a reddish capped bolete mushroom, growing out of a thick layer of brown, reddish brown, and grey leaves. The background is the green foliage of a tan oak forest.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 11/11/2025

Finally all caught up, last day! INKTOBER DAY 31: Award (Pic 2: Tindu is happy to divert my attention back to him) #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberaward #inktoberawardday31 #inktoberaward2025 #inktoberday31 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a grey alien standing up, proudly holding up a basket of foraged wild mushrooms with one hand. Next to the alien is their friend, a black cat, sitting on top of a large mushroom and looking up at the basket, very pleased.

Color photograph of a grey cat sitting on a patio table outside, on a patio surrounded by forests. Next to the cat is the author’s sketchbook, open to a completed ink drawing. The cat appears happy that the author is finished with her drawing and can now pay more attention to him.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Almost there...:) INKTOBER DAY 30: Vacant #inktober #inktober2025 #inktobervacant #inktobervacantday30 #inktobervacant2025 #inktobervacantday302025 #inktoberday30 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a flying saucer, with a grey alien and black cat piloting it. They are hovering above another flying saucer that’s empty, and has a “for lease” sign on it. The background is black space with stars, in a circular shape, and there are a few stars outside of the circle.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Getting there! INKTOBER DAY 29: Lesson #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberlesson #inktoberlessonday29 #inktoberlesson2025 #inktoberlessonday292025 #inktoberday29 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a classroom setting where a black cat is the teacher, pointing at the chalkboard. On the chalkboard, it says “lesson 29: how to keep us happy”, and there are drawings of an empty food bowl with a line through it next to a food bowl full of food with a positive checkmark that the Cat teacher is pointing to. There are three students sitting on the ground attend, attending the lesson and they are all gray alien children.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Getting caught up slowly:) INKTOBER DAY 28: Skeletal #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberskeletal #inktoberskeletalday28 #inktoberskeletal2025 #inktoberskeletalday282025 #inktoberday28 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing with a circular frame drawn in, of a black cat and its friend, a gray alien, peering over some rocks and looking at some fossilized fish skeletons.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Still catching up...letting Inktober slide into November. Happy Halloween!🎃 INKTOBER DAY 27: Onion #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberonion #inktoberonionday27 #inktoberonion2025 #inktoberonionday272025 #inktoberday27 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of an onion sprouting in a glass container in front of a circular window, showing a space scape outside with a spiral galaxy.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Still catching up! INKTOBER DAY 26: Puzzling #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberpuzzling #inktoberpuzzling2025 #inktoberpuzzlingday262025 #inktoberday26 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black-and-white drawing of a Mobius strip. Sitting inside the Mobius strip is a gray alien, and it is tapping on the surface above its head where there is a black cat, the aliens friend on the other side, the top.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Another fun and quick one, still catching up! INKTOBER DAY 25: Inferno #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberinferno #inktoberinferno2025 #inktoberinfernoday252025 #inktoberday25 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a sketchy style sun, being orbited by a small flying saucer that is in silhouette in front of the face of the sun.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Catching up still, quick fun one... INKTOBER DAY 24: Rowdy #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberrowdy #inktoberrowdy2025 #inktoberrowdyday24 #inktoberday24 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a flying saucer, being piloted by a laughing Grey alien, with its friend, a black cat, peeking out from a port hole in the side of the flying saucer with a bull horn yelling and just being rowdy in general. in the background is a night sky with stars and a crescent moon.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Still catching up... INKTOBER DAY 23: Firefly #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberfirefly #inktoberfirefly2025 #inktoberfireflyday23 #inktoberday23 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a flying saucer landed in a large field at night with a crescent moon in the sky. Inside the flying saucer are a gray alien and it’s Friend, a black cat, who are marveling at all the fireflies ascending from the grass into the sky.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Catching up… INKTOBER DAY 22: Button #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberbutton #inktoberbutton2025 #inktoberbuttonday22 #inktoberday22 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black-and-white drawing of a small button mushroom growing out of a mossy hill in the foreground and in the background are a gray alien face and it’s friend, a black cat, staring at it and both faces much larger than the tiny mushroom.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

Slowly catching up… INKTOBER DAY 21: Blast @inktober @inktober2025 @inktober @inktoberofficial #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberblast #inktoberblast2025 #inktoberblastday21 #inktoberday21 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drying of a flying saucer with a boom box suspended and it’s beam and below that are a gray alien and it’s buddy a black cat dancing. There are many musical notes emanating from where the boombox is suspended above the dancers.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

Catching up… INKTOBER DAY 20: Rivals #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberrivals #inktoberrivals2025 #inktoberrivalsday20 #inktoberday20 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of two flying saucers, one piloted by a black alien and white cat & the other piloted by a gray alien and black cat. Each saucer has a tractor beam to the same suspended mushroom they are both trying to levitate to their ship. There’s a cluster of mushrooms below, where the suspended mushroom came from, and pine trees in the background, with stars in the sky.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

Tindu: artist’s “assistant”🩶 #cat #cats #catssittingonthings

Photograph of a cute gray cat sitting on top of a sketchbook, interrupting the artist.

Photograph of a gray cat's paws stepping on an incomplete sketch in a sketchbook.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

INKTOBER DAY 19: Arctic #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberarctic #inktoberarctic2025 #inktoberarcticday19 #inktoberday19 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing framed in a triangular shape, of a flying saucer, landed on an iceberg in the sea of iceberg with mountains in the distance. Piloting the flying saucer are a great alien and a black cat, and there is a polar bear standing on its hind legs, greeting them, leaning against the flying saucer.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

INKTOBER DAY 18: Deal #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberdeal #inktoberdeal2025 #inktoberdealday18 #inktoberday18 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a black cat’s paw, shaking the hand of a gray alien with a collective speech bubble for both of them that expresses the “No Kings”sentiment in an image of a crown with a line drawn through it.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

INKTOBER DAY 17: Ornate #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberornate #inktoberornate2025 #inktoberornateday17 #inktoberday17 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a flying saucer, piloted by a gray alien and a black cat, making an intricate sacred geometry design with its contrail.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

Catching up... INKTOBER Day 16: Blunder #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberblunder #inktoberblunder2025 #inktoberblunderday16 #inktoberday16 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a piece of cherry pie that has been smashed by a cat, and there are paw prints of cherry pie, leading away from the piece.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Catching up still... INKTOBER Day 15: Ragged #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberragged #inktoberragged2025 #inktoberraggedday15 #inktoberday15 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drying of a big ragged hole in the clear sunny sky, showing a black space escape with a Saturn like planet inside the hole. Zooming out of the hole is a flying saucer, piloted by a gray alien and a black cat, leaving a black speckled contrail in its wake.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 16/10/2025

Catching up... INKTOBER DAY 14: Trunk #inktober #inktober2025 #inktobertrunk #inktobertrunk2025 #inktoberday14 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a flying saucer hovering above the ocean at night with a beam coming down that is lifting a trunk that’s closed and covered in seaweed and dripping. Inside the flying saucer are the two pilots, a gray alien and a black cat.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

Catching up... INKTOBER DAY 12: Shredded #inktober #inktober2025 #inktobershredded #inktobershredded2025 #inktoberday12 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a clear daytime landscape with rolling hills and some clouds. Ripping four tears in the sky are four black cat claws, and the tears reveal a black night sky with stars behind.

Mari Stauffer Howard @maridara.bsky.social · 14/10/2025

INKTOBER DAY 13: Drink #inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberdrink #inktoberdrink2025 #inktoberday13 #penandink #drawing #inkdrawing #penandinkdrawing #sketch #stipplingart #ilovestippling #maristaufferartdotcom

Black and white drawing of a grey alien and black cat. Shown from behind, they are sitting with a small table between them, looking out the window of their spaceship to the view of a spiral galaxy in space, and each raising a glass of wine to salute the view.