Isolation Series: Blue Jay Day

"Blue Jay Day"
11x14 mixed media on paper

What a feast for colour-hungry eyes these bold blue birds provide. They flit from trail to tree and fence post to feeder, screeching greetings, teasing squirrels, and chasing one another: brash, brazen and beautiful. Blue Jays remind me of bright summer days to come, with unrestricted freedoms to follow.

#glendamosherart #isolationseries

Isolation Series: The Emphases of Red Snowshoes

 "Red Snowshoes"
11x14" mixed media on paper

We were given new shoes for Christmas, shoes for walking with ease in winter weather; shiny red snowshoes. We got to wear our new shoes for the first time after a heavy snowfall this past week. On that glorious white wonderland day we strapped our feet into our snowshoes and tromped about the back meadow, getting a feel for moving about. We used poles to assist our navigation of ascents and descents and turns. We unexpectedly encountered dear friends of like mind - and footwear, and together, ventured forth as a merry crew to “play” in the snow in our new shoes. Our confidence grew as our steps increased and we set off for wide-open spaces in which to make new marks. We got brave and ventured into forestland, “bushwhacking” a challenging terrain. Snow fell like a benediction on our heads, on our calls to one another, on our laughing and stepping together. We came home rosy cheeked, thoroughly soaked, hot, and so very happy. Yes, we were given new shoes for Christmas; snowshoes for walking with ease in a challenging season, shoes for making marks and memories to last. #glendamosherart

Isolation Series: Potting up Sunshine

"Potting up Sunshine"
11x14 mixed media on paper

I heard a Pantone colour specialist being interviewed on the radio. She announced two colour trends for 2021: “ultimate grey and illuminating yellow.” Special attention was given to the symbolic association when selecting these colours: one to anchor, or give a sense of foundation, and the other to provide light and life (hope). I was drawing at the time, overlapping line and shape when flowers and leaves appeared. The idea of being anchored, with hope above, around, and before me, brings great comfort. So I offer a bright pot of flowers to shine into your winter. May hope illuminate your day.

Isolation Series: Snow Peace

"Snow Peace"
11x14" mixed media on paper

Walking through the forest after a heavy snowfall is one of the most peaceful and beautiful winter pursuits for me. Row upon row of pines and firs stretch out, heaped in frosty blue and white stillness. My boots crunch along unmarked trails adding soft squeaks to wind whispers and chickadee song: “Peace, peace, peace, for today, and bright hope for tomorrow...”

Isolation Series: "Winter Birds"

"Winter Birds"
11x14" mixed media on paper

On mild winter days we often walk on trails that take us through local forests. On sunny days the trails are flush with cheery walkers grateful for a beautiful day and an opportunity for being “together “ whilst in isolation. Seeing so many folk on the trails reminds me of the winter birds that frequent our feeders. Lately redpolls, chickadees, and finches do the “dine and dash” outside our windows but it is also common to see larger birds such as waxwings, woodpeckers, and doves in their midst. Need brings all kinds of species together. Sunshine, fresh air and a sense of sharing safe fellowship makes it all the better.

Isolation Series: Hard News Hunker

"Hard News Hunker"
11x14 mixed media on paper

It is January 2021 and the world news lends to a sensation of living in an altered reality - still! Can it get any more preposterous? My heart is heavy for our US neighbours and for those suffering with government. Covid-19 hangs like a big old snowstorm, keeping us trapped until it blows out. It’s a long-winded maelstrom, to be sure. I look out my window on this brooding winter day and Eyeore’s morose voice pops into my head: “stuck again,” he moans, stating the obvious. Yes, we are stuck - again. Then I remember, in the A.A. Milne story all of Pooh’s friends rally to help free their stuck companion - to a satisfying end. And that leads me to think , wearily but hopefully, we’ll get sorted in the end also. It will take time, cooperation, humility, and hard work, and we’ll be talking about lessons learned for some time to come. 

Isolation Series: Snow & Ice

"Snow & Ice"
11x14 marker & ink on paper

Winter has altered my views of the creek. The banks and edges are transformed, rimmed with geometric shapes; icy slabs in shades of yellow-grey, mauve, and white. The water level is high, dangerously surging, mysteriously black and tea stained. It has frozen over completely just once, during a cold snap, when it’s roiling surface stilled and stretched to offer wildlife a smooth white highway for crossing. Paw prints dotted the surface then in assorted zigzags and sizes. Today I stand along the cold-weathered banks watching and listening to a percussive winter chorus of dry grass rattles and swishes, crow caw staccatos, bare branched knocking, and crinkly water acoustics. Snow falls with a whisper into this moment and I give thanks for the hard changes around me. There is beauty here.

Isolation Series: "NEW LENSES"

"New Lenses"
11x14" on paper

What a year! I look back on some of my reflections and drawings noting how much this strange year has affected me, my family, community and country. All this watching and waiting, separating and sanitizing, has given me “new lenses” for viewing what’s around me. Sometimes those lenses enhance and enrich my sight, other times they feel oddly uncomfortable and I’d rather not have to wear them. But I’m grateful the year ends with a glimmer of hope for 2021. Going forward, May we all find peace, hope, and grace in this pandemic journey: Eyes to see, ears to hear, words of life, and hands that offer peace. I wish you Health, hope and real hugs to look forward to. Happy New Year!

Isolation Series: "Christmas Flowers"

"Christmas Flowers"
11x14" marker & ink on paper

There is legend surrounding the poinsettia flower: that of a child who wished to bring a gift to the special baby lying in the church crèche. She had nothing to offer but a clutch of roadside flowers. When she placed her homemade posy before the manger a miracle occurred: the white blossoms transformed into beautiful red ones giving the poinsettia the name “Flores de Noche Buena” - “Flowers of the Holy Night.” The story is a reminder that little becomes much especially in a year when so much has been taken away. A small kindness offered through words, a smile, and patience extended can become such a meaningful gift. 

May your season be blessed with sincere miracles - both large and small, given and received, this year.

Isolation Series: Red Berry Romp

Red Berry Romp
11x14 mixed media on paper

One of my favourite animal sightings this year has been that of the common rabbit, and in particular, catching sight of a rabbit romping about under the neighbour's massive sugar maples. Now that winter is here, I don't see rabbits so often, but I do see rabbit tracks on the snowy back trails where the frozen grasses are bleached blond and the honeysuckles' bare branches are strung with red berries for winter. It's a sweet, festive sight for these darkening days of December. 

Isolation Series: Grey Owl

"Grey Owl"
11x14" mixed media on paper

On a recent forest walk with friends we happened upon a great grey owl perched on a fallen tree. We stopped to observe this very unusual sighting. Here was a magnificent member of the Order of Strigiformes. Owl watched us, four members of the Order of Homo sapiens. Upon reflection, I couldn’t help but ponder the words I’ve read and heard surrounding Owls, their associations with wisdom, truth, guardianship, leadership, silence, and vigilance, not to mention the significance of sightings. And in keeping with many of my encounters with creatures during this covid season I couldn’t help but think how a chance encounter with the great grey owl becomes a reminder to live up to my Orders’ distinction of being sapient - Latin: for being wise, especially in this season of frustration and fear of the unknown. 

Isolation Series: Leaf Music

"Leaf Music"
11x14" marker & ink on paper

Just as we do in the spring, come autumn, my husband and I like to take long drives to observe the colours - and music - of the trees. This expansive and moving colour production stretches for miles and miles: tired greens giving way to the glowing hues of russet, cranberry, lemon, and orange. Closer to home, there are two enormous sugar maples at the creek’s edge that turn an incandescent shade of pumpkin orange. To stand under this luminescent leaf canopy in October is to experience a tree’s singing up close. I place my hands on the trunk and swear I can hear a deep humming. Vivaldi's "Spring" is a tree’s greening song but Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus is their fall finale.

 

Isolation Series: Aromatherapy

 

"Aromatherapy"
11x14" marker and ink on paper

I find the aromas of the autumn season particularly evocative. One whiff of the dusty scent of leaves raked into a big pile takes me back to my childhood, of rosy cheeks and leaf debris in my hair. The smoky waft of a burning bonfire calls to mind times of gathering and singing, of hot faces and cold backs and watching sparks fly off into the inky night sky above. The earthy smell of just-pulled carrots and potatoes conjure images of slow simmered family suppers. So, on this rainy October day, I pull my soup pot from the cupboard, assemble the last fruits of the garden, chop and simmer, stir and taste, and let the therapy of homemade soup take me on a journey, seasoned with the echoes of fond memories.

Isolation Series: The Sparrow's Grotto

"The Sparrow's Grotto"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

The sparrows have become dear little regulars at my spot by the creek. The song sparrow is a virtuoso and sings from the bushes and trees all day long. The swamp sparrow is more secretive and rustles about in the reeds and grasses, flitting through the bushes then down to the creek’s edge to sip the waters. On my visits to the creek, I sometimes scatter a handful of birdseed. The greedy chipmunks and squirrels vie for first dibs and often chase each other away completely leaving the seed unclaimed. When that happens, the swamp sparrow hops into view and dines freely within the shelter of the undergrowth. One creature’s loss is another’s gain. 

Isolation Series: Mink

"Mink"
11x14 marker & ink on paper

One of the most curious creatures I have observed at the creek is that of a mink. I soon learned Mink is a creature of habit, choosing a set time and place to swim, hunt, and dine on the plentiful crayfish living in the waters. How fortunate this often coincided with my visits, and within my line of sight. Swimming in and out of the shallows, Mink would splash suddenly and rise up with a sparkling crayfish dangling from its’ mouth. Mink would then disappear into the curtain of river reeds and grasses to dine in secret; tiny, distinct cracking and crunching sounds a testimony of breakfast being eaten. At the start of my visits Mink would scurry to cross the path between us, sometimes solo, sometimes in the company of other mink. As summer progressed the path crossings became less hurried and on one occasion, Mink paused in front of me, rose up, and gave me a good stare. I like to think we grew in wary comfortableness. Had I not been a creature of habit myself, nor been willing to explore this creek, I would have missed out on meeting Mink, of having my eyes and ears opened in new ways, and of being touched by the wonder and wildness of nature in my own backyard.

 

Isolation Series: The Puddle Jumper

"The Puddle Jumper"
11x14 marker & ink on paper

I think the dogs are faring quite well these pandemic days. They are good friends, and comforting company. Come rain or shine, they take us for walks. I’m told this is a highlight for a dog...that - and car rides. But on rainy days they get to wear stylish clothes and make all the people they meet smile!  

Isolation Series: The Seed Bandit

 

"The Seed Bandit"
11x14 marker & ink on paper

They’re back, these pesky ring-tailed raccoons! Just when I think I’ve outwitted them they gain the upper hand. Feeders destroyed, sunflower seeds “hoovered” in seconds. They display an attitude of “sucks to be you, lady” when caught red-handed before casually shuffling off. It’s like watching the second wave of Covid arrive. #@! We’ll get the upper hand yet.

Isolation Series: 2020/2021

"2020/2021"
11x14" marker & ink on paper

This is the year we wait. We watch the weeks and months march on. We do what we can to participate in Covid-19 prevention and protection measures, to creatively make-do. And we wait some more. 

 

Isolation Series: Catbird CanCan

"Catbird CanCan"
11x14" mixed media on paper

The Gray Catbird is a regular visitor to our garden - and yes, it can emit a mewing call. One morning, on my way to the creek a Catbird accompanied me, hopping from branch to branch. Once at the creek the Catbird settled in the overhanging branches of a buckthorn tree. As I watched this bold bird it began to hop and flick its tail up and down, flashing bright cinnamon coloured under feathers. What a dance - cheeky and saucy and oh, so fun!

Isolation Series: "Snapper"

 

"Snapper"
11x14" marker & ink on paper

Appearances can be deceiving. This fact is driven home time and again by my observations at the creek. I have watched a sun bleached boulder rise up, elongate, form a sinuous neck and a pair of outstretched wings, then fly away. I have witnessed a family of nearly full-grown mallards transmogrify when doing the bottoms-up dive. Miniature dolphins emerge, beaks beckoning as tiny flippers propel them backwards in a synchronized dance: how delightful! And I have seen a monster from the depths rise to fix a hideous, reptilian eye my way. What is this that lurks in the creek, I wonder? It blinks once, twice, then becomes an old snapping turtle, clambering slowly over rocks, shellback slimed with frothy green algae. It sinks to leave a wide, silent wake of neon bubbles and foam. Move over Harry Potter, this is nature’s ancient magic.