Isolation Series: Bibitte's Joy

"Bibitte's Joy"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

One of my friends owns a beautiful cat, Bibitte, who unknowingly, came to my friend without any claws. This means outside living is done from the confines of a leash. Remarkably, Bibitte does very well on a leash - she has never known the outdoors without it. Sometimes she comes to enjoy the shade of my back garden. In watching Bibitte I observe how much she loves exploring the shady spaces. She chases grasshoppers and jumps at butterflies, and she watches chipmunks and birds with whisker quivering delight. Sitting or lying in the shade is Bibitte’s familiar, contented posture. Confined and constrained she might be, but living in the moment is Bibitte’s joy. One I can relate to.

Isolation Series: Evening Preen

"Evening Preen"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

There’s something about watching the water fowl going about their business. Be it fishing, or gathering, coming, or going, their wildly lived lives fascinate me. I’ve seen Canada geese use this particular stretch of the creek for all of the above activities, but nothing is quite so fine as watching them bathe as the sun goes down. The flapping of great grey wings, the rhythmic fluffing of feathers, the regal head dipping and wing spreading, are grandiose end-of-day ablutions to behold.    

Isolation Series: The Acrobat

"The Acrobat"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

Red squirrels, black squirrels, grey squirrels - they all vie for supremacy in the outdoor arena. I think they are part monkey too, as they vault and swing from branch to branch with breathtaking, daredevil risk. Their chittering is a far cry from a Tarzan bellow but the way they wave and twirl their tails rivals circus parade plumes. Frisky, pesky, charming, and cheeky, they announce their presence with voices most screechy!

Isolation Series: Lemonade Days

"Lemonade Days"
11x14 mixed media on paper

Cold, tall drink days are here 

A pitcher of iced lemonade with glasses to share 

in the cooler shade of the garden. 

Isolation Series: The Fowl and the Fisher: A Precautionary Tale

"The Fowl and the Fisher"

Summer has slammed into us with heat. The birds and wildlife seek shade - as do most people. On the creek, the ducks seem to be the most frequent inhabitants, although I know other animals are alive and well hidden. One day, a mother mallard and twelve ducklings were forced from their place of safe shelter by the attack of a fisher. My husband, some neighbours, and I, happened to witness the event. In a flash of movement, a brown creature lunged from the shore toward the nest. Mother mallard set up a high-pitched crying, flapping wildly across the waters to draw the fisher away from her young. The fisher was one minute racing on land, the next minute, in the water, swimming with speed, intent on capture. We stood on the shore feeling helpless, clapping and calling, hoping to distract the predator and enable the ducks to get away. Just as soon as it happened, it was over. The fisher disappeared. There was no sign of mallards either. It felt awful to witness the attack, to be left wondering the worst. About thirty minutes later, mother mallard and twelve ducklings sailed by, well away from the shoreline and in the opposite direction of their nest: safe - for this time.

Covid restrictions are lifting in Ontario. This is a good yet uncertain reality. Is the danger of infection disappearing, or is it just in hiding? Living with precautions is still the way forward; the new normal for uncertain times.

Isolation Series: Merganser Mother

"Merganser Mother"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

I have enjoyed seeing common mergansers on the creek this spring. The females have stunning orange feather-do’s. Their communication sounds like underwater sonar - very unusual. All the ducks and geese at the creek have focused on a singular mission: protecting and nurturing their offspring in the wild. Danger surrounds them hourly. I think how we need to be diligent in our pandemic world - even when it feels safer. One only has to read the news to know the “wild woods” still surround us. Let’s not let down our guards.  

Isolation Series: Honours with Distinction

"Honours with Distinction"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

These are cap and gown days. The pandemic has altered traditional ceremonial events with innovative distinction. Signs proclaiming: “a grad lives here!” have popped up in neighbourhoods across the country, and education facilities proudly display huge congratulations while conducting drive by diploma receptions. It pleases me to see how grads are being honoured in this time of social restrictions. I can’t help but think, that when they look back, they will be able to say all grads received certificates of honours with distinction in 2020. 

Isolation Series: Grandma, Braid My Hair?

"Grandma, Braid My Hair?"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

Today’s drawing is from a scribble left by my eldest granddaughter. Now that we can increase our “bubbles” in numbers my grandchildren can visit. The minute I saw she had brought her hairbrush and elastics she asked: “Grandma, braid my hair?” It was a simple request but it warmed my heart immeasurably. So, I braided my granddaughter’s hair and gave thanks for the gift of an ordinary, loving task, returned to my hands.

Isolation Series: The Garden Jester

"The Garden Jester"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

I have had to replant carrots, beets, and lettuce this year because this little critter likes to dig - all the way to China, it seems! Early morning, it pops out of yet another new hole to greet the day. I’ve observed it sniff the air and do a sun salutation. It likes to race and hide under the hosta plants then perch on the fence post to become a garden statue. It has been both chaser and chased when it comes to the prolific squirrels. Resilient, feisty, a comic and pester; Chipmunk is a garden jester.

(Thanks goes to my grandson, who left me with this scribble to make a into a drawing).

Isolation Series: Phlox and Fern

Phlox and Fern

These are gentle, pleasant days, as spring rolls over into summer. My morning visits to the creek involve strolling through gossamer threads of spider silk waving on the breezes, of seeing the ferny grass tops blush pink as the sun shines through them, and of watching puffs of pollen release into the air as the wind blows. The birds sing sweetly, the heron still fishes, and the baby ducks grow fat.

Isolation Series: The Fragrance of June

"The Fragrance of June"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

These late spring days are heady with purple scents. The creek banks flaunt cotton candy colours to accessorize bright spring greens. Wild honeysuckle, phlox and iris mingle with lilac blossoms and perfume the breezes. My visits to the creek are much sweeter for it.

Isolation Series: Morning Coffee

"Morning Coffee"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

These are busy outdoor days. I have drawings on the go - but gardening calls. My morning starts with a cup of coffee to accompany quiet contemplation. I think of it as brewing gratitude. Enjoyed inside or outside, that first cup is an infusion of satisfaction and thanksgiving.

Isolation Series: Red Fox

"Red Fox"
11x14 marker and ink on paper

It is no surprise Red Fox emerged from my line drawings this week; he made an impressionable appearance at the creek. The sun was shining and his flaming red coat stood out instantly as he wandered through the bright grasses on the opposite bank. He didn’t stay long, unfortunately, as the birds were on high alert and a collective air attack commenced by crows, red-winged blackbirds, and grackles. Red Fox was having none of this! He gave a glorious leap into the air and hightailed it back to the shadowy growth. I do hope to see him again - from a distance, of course.