Creating the World Beneath Me

Artist's Commentary - Circular landscapes on synthetic paper using colour shift watercolour paint and ink.

Most recent work: The Great Return

Story: The rough shores welcomed her children after the long journey at sea. Cliffs warmed by the sun would shelter lovers and babies as they have since the first feather, and until the last bird. Watercolor and ink on 6"synthetic round.

For me there's something beautiful about creating landscapes on circular paper. It never fails to fill my spirit. I feel like a creator of life each time I pick up the brushes to do this. I create oceans and build swells, sculpt mountains and raise forests from the earth. I move sand to sculpt shorelines and invite the magic of water to push the earth back, only to draw it forward into the wash again. And soon the land and shorelines begin to build themselves until the birds decide it's time to come home. Art is life and poetry, it truly is. Creativity at this level is me breathing in my artist breath, and then barely breathing it out, gently pushing and blending through the labour of a small violent birth. You pause between brush strokes waiting for life to reveal itself in the folds of paint and bristle. It's magical.

Then the phone rings and you have to pick up bread. (sigh) mortal once again.

Title: Terra firma Story: Birds have been landing on ocean  shores for millenia. They take no notice of flags planted by foolish men citing doctrines of discovery, claiming land they could never own and building rules they would never follow. We are a foolish species in our belief that we have permanence. In the game of life, their expiration date is not dependent on ours.

When I look at these landscape pieces, my heart fills up with hope and love for this remarkable home we live on. I create the world beneath my fingers as though it's a prayer to the Earth, a way to tell her I love her and that I'm cheering for her survival. But it's our survival isn't it? It is our responsibility to survive, not hers. She freely gives life without question, and she reabsorbs the life she gives. She is an all powerful living being that invites us to live well off everything she provides. In truth, we're little more than dust in her orbit. She loves us, but she does not need us.

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Where to find my original work:

Currently at these locations:

• The Arts Hub at 127 Bridge Street in Carleton Place, ON

• Smiths Falls Music at 114 Main Street in Smiths Falls, ON

• Personal Touch Gifts at 1127 Perth Road, Gillies Corners, ON

• Perth and District Public Library at 30 Herriott St, Perth, ON