I was born in what is lovingly nicknamed the Banana Belt of Ontario. This flat, intensely agricultural area is nestled in by three lakes: Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake St Clair. Despite the relatively warm climate, serious snowfalls were common, and I grew up loving the endless white expanses and tall accumulations against our farm buildings in winter. It was childhood heaven.
FENCEROW 1 2014 24X24: Collage
A country drive in winter
Each year I reconnect and fall in love again with winter’s stark beauty. Today I share ten good reasons, none of them cliché, to embrace winter’s cold cold heart. Here goes:
1. Contrast – what is life without it? We would never appreciate light if we didn’t know darkness. Or heat, without frozen fingers. I love black and white compositions.
Winter Woods #1
I made this sketch right after a local hike, using big markers to keep from getting too fussy.
2. Nature has fun with it – brilliant splashes of colour are more intense against a snowy backdrop.
Red Maple 2008 28X32″ Net collage, machine embroidery, appliqué and quilting.
3. Native plants go to bed until spring – they need rest. Good example for all of us.
Dark Woods #10 2005 28X15″ Phototransfer of a tree, net collage and machine embroidery.
4. There’s more going on than the eye can see – stuff is happening under there.
Fissure #3 2011 16X20″ Seeds, fungal spores, insects and other soil organisms burrow down, some die, some hibernate. Roots keep working.
5. You can see farther, especially if you are already short.
Deep Snow #5 2004 19X19″ Phototransfer of treetops, net collage and machine embroidery.
6. You don’t have to worry about deer eating your apples before you do.
The view out my back window after an early snow.
7. Conifers are still working. They are at the helm!
WINTER MOON #1 2010 12X9″ Conifer leaves are resistant to cold and moisture loss. On cold dry days, their needles curve in to reduce their exposed surface. They continue to photosynthesize, only more slowly, as long as they get enough water.
8. Night skies are enchanting.
Trees I have Seen 2009 24X24″ Net collage, appliqué, machine embroidery.
9. Whether you love pruning or not, there’s no need to do it in February. You can, but you don’t have to.
Old Apples #7 2004 28X17″ Phototransfer of trees, net collage, machine embroidery.
10. And we all know: spring will follow in due course ……
To the Light #2 8×4″
Machine stitchery on photographic print, watercolour, fabric collage