Stories behind my 2024 Collection, Wilderness Connections
My earlier collection, Joy in the Wilderness, takes us into the beauty and serenity within our natural world.
In Wilderness Connections, we look beyond the joy we experience when in touch with nature; we look into our human connection with our environment and our role and responsibility to our natural world.
Testing the Water at Forest Edge
SOLD – acrylic on canvas; 24”x36”, $1750; framed
In “Testing the Water at Forest Edge”, the wolves are both cautious and confident.
The wolves are not alone in the forest; humankind is present, having asserted itself into the wilderness scene as noted by the overturned canoe.
One wolf carefully tests the waters, while its companion looks directly at us, guardedly acknowledging our presence.
Working Together
SOLD – acrylic on canvas; 24”x36”, $1600 (framed)
In this painting, we see different species working together.
The emblematic, hard-working beaver swims towards its destination, branch in mouth. It is balanced within the wilderness scene. Its placement is centered, from its nose to the tip of its tail. The fish below are equally spaced across the painting.
The bear in the canoe is not a sight one normally sees. It is playful, and at the same time seen as representing us within the painting.
We are part of and not separate from nature.
The bear and canoe seem centred within the composition, yet the canoe is actually off-center.
We are still working on making connections and finding our place within our natural environment.
These connections are seen throughout the painting, not only through the relationship between the beaver and bear. The beaver’s branch and the bear’s paddle are angled to meet each other if the lines were continued. The angle of the branch and paddle repeats itself within the composition, as seen within the load of branches that the bear is transporting.
The beaver and bear carry their supplies to build a home, swimming towards their unseen destination.
Forest Stillness
SOLD – acrylic on canvas; 30”x48”, $1950 (unframed)
In “Forest Stillness“, there are two subjects: the doe and the birch trees themselves.
Our gaze is drawn to the doe
The forest floor is unseen, as the doe’s hooves go right to the bottom of the canvas, creating a magical feel to the overall scene.
The birch trees stand tall and strong as guardians of forest life. The doe stands protected amongst the trees, looking out at us, quietly challenging how we the human viewer will relate to our wilderness environment.
Hope and the Eagle
acrylic on canvas, 16”x20”, $800 (framed)
“Hope and the Eagle” follows the earlier “Homecoming” painting, which celebrated the return of the Bald Eagle after years of environmental damage largely due to DDTs resulted in a severe decrease to our eagle population, landing them onto the endangered list. Positive action and change has seen our majestic residents return to our rivers and lakes- A great example of how humans can successfully act to help a once endangered species.
In “Hope and the Eagle”, the foreground highlights the environmental effect of our recent countrywide wildfires, with the background aglow with an autumn hillscape untouched by the fires.
The Bald Eagle looks down upon this landscape, a symbol of strength and hope, and a call to each viewer to again act in response to environmental issues.
The Waiting Game
acrylic on canvas; 24”x24”, $1300 (framed)
“The Waiting Game” is a celebration of our lakes, rivers and wetlands, teeming with wildlife! The scene embodies beauty, drama and humour. It also speaks to our many wildlife habitats, too many disappearing at the hands of human impact.
Sharing the Lake
SOLD – acrylic on canvas; 16”x20”, $800 (framed)
The call of the Common Loon resonates within our soul. Its calls vary from mournful, warning, soothing, yet all are distinctive and immediately connect us to Canada’s wilderness.
In”Sharing the Lake”, the loon couple give warning to the approaching canoe.
Our loon population is now under threat. Birds Canada has noted a mysterious decline in loon productivity, possibly linked to a combination of acidity and mercury in our waters as well as climate change.
“Sharing the Lake” reminds us of our connection to the landscape and its wild inhabitants, and how even the enduring symbol of our common loon should not be taken for granted.
Watching from the Treetops
acrylic on canvas; 12”x12”, $550 (framed)
Not everyone appreciates the wild turkey, but I loved having this shy bird unexpectedly visit me every day for one week at the lake. I’m amazed at the beautiful patterned browns, oranges and greys of the feathers, and am surprised at this large bird’s quickness and agility- as it ran and flew away at my slightest movement.
In “Watching from the Treetops”, the trees’ lines and their bold, vibrant reds frame and support the turkey, both literally and symbolically. The Wild Turkey is the focus, standing alert atop a branch. The scene is autumn, leaves having already fallen- a potentially dangerous time for this particular game fowl.
“End of the Portage”
SOLD – acrylic on canvas; 24”x36”, $1600 (framed)
The moose gazes onto the lake, ready to continue the journey. We simultaneously respect and relate to this iconic animal.
In “End of the Portage”, the moose is seen as a strong, stoic symbol of Canada and symbolizing ourselves. The moose has portaged the iconic red canoe, and we can’t help but relate directly to and put ourselves within this scene.
Don’t Look Down
SOLD – acrylic on canvas, 12”x12”, $550 (framed)
The branches of the foreground tree reach upwards in a symbolic embrace of the young bear. The forest is the cub’s home and protector.
Are We There Yet?
acrylic on canvas, 16”x20”, $800 (framed)
Every parent has heard these words, and every child has uttered them. “Are We There Yet?“ has fun with this enduring scenario, and at the same time connecting us to the merganser family in its habitat. The sun is setting as the parent merganser confidently carries its young home.
Although the title takes liberties with transferring human experience to that of the mergansers, caring for and safeguarding our young remain true to both humankind and our feathered friends.
Here We Are
acrylic on canvas; 12”x12”, $550 (framed)
In “Here We Are”, the owls mesmerize us. Owls are often unseen, being nocturnal, often silent and well camouflaged. But they are strong and powerful.
In “Here We Are”, the owls stare out seemingly directly at us, neither aggressively nor passively, just letting us know that this forest is their home.
Faster! Faster!
acrylic on canvas; 16”x20”, $800 (framed)
“Faster! Faster!“ is full of playfulness. The vivid, sunny colours and how they contrast each other, the movement within the lines and of the subjects themselves all add to this playfulness, taking us along for the ride.
The mergansers and the fish all head in the same direction, seemingly all part of this game. Balance and harmony are held within the subjects themselves, emphasized by the balance in colour and composition.
The yellows of the sky and the yellows of the line of perch frame the greens and blues within the hills and lake. These all work together to hold the mergansers, highlighting the birds’ siennas, browns, whites and blue-greys.
Taking a Break
SOLD – acrylic on canvas; 24”x30”, $1350 (unframed)
“Taking a Break“ is the latest in my series of the Fox and the Hare. This painting harkens back and links us to the first of the series, “Summer Games“, in which the fox and the hare chase through the forest maze. This latest painting sees the fox resting yet still looking very sure of himself. The fox now looks directly at us- its stare open for the viewer to interpret.
Taking a Break also directly links the collection, Wilderness Connections, to the previous collection, Joy in the Wilderness.
We look beyond the joy we experience when in nature; we look into our human connection and our role and responsibility to our natural world.
Standing Amongst Giants
SOLD – acrylic on canvas, 16”x20”, $720 unframed
In “Standing Amongst Giants”, spring is awakening. The fallen leaves from the previous autumn cover the forest floor. A lone trillium has broken through, standing proudly amongst the towering trees.
Small, but nourished and protected within its environment, as each of us as individuals strive in our own lives.
I felt compelled to paint the scene after being thrilled in discovering a lone trillium along one of my favourite hikes on our lake. It was the first that I had seen there over 20 years, and I couldn’t help but smile.