Nature is what we see: The Hill, the Afternoon, Squirrel, Eclipse, the Bumble bee...Nay—Nature is Heaven; Nature is what we hear: The Bobolink, the Sea, Thunder, the Cricket...Nay—Nature is Harmony; Nature is what we know, Yet have no art to say, So impotent Our Wisdom is To her Simplicity. ~ Emily Dickinson
Many times I've been asked if I wasn't a painter, what would I be? My answer has always been an herbalist. I love the beauty of wildflowers, their history, their medicinal properties. Though many in Canada were introduced from other countries, whether purposely or not, I admire their tenacity and simplicity. I do create my own bath salts, sugar scrubs vanilla, candles and smudge spray because I know what goes into them and they don't exacerbate my family's sensitivities. And above all, they are lovely to view, which to my mind is healing in itself.
Maybe I was inspired by Emily Dickinson and her love of nature and gardening and her gathering of wildflowers. Or perhaps because we were taught about the healing and nurturing traits of plants for survival in the wilderness while living in a secluded northern community. When I wasn't yet two years old I remember being fascinated by a field of dandelions so I gathered a handful for my new baby brother. While living in the country I used to gather wild rosebuds to make rosehip tea for my daughter and I and I remember creating fairy houses with carpets of soft pussy toes in my childhood. So this year I have prepared 52 new canvases all measuring 8x10 inches and will delve into wildflowers, their stories and their healing medicine.
NOTE: To view entire image and read more about it, please click on the photos below.
Many times I've been asked if I wasn't a painter, what would I be? My answer has always been an herbalist. I love the beauty of wildflowers, their history, their medicinal properties. Though many in Canada were introduced from other countries, whether purposely or not, I admire their tenacity and simplicity. I do create my own bath salts, sugar scrubs vanilla, candles and smudge spray because I know what goes into them and they don't exacerbate my family's sensitivities. And above all, they are lovely to view, which to my mind is healing in itself.
Maybe I was inspired by Emily Dickinson and her love of nature and gardening and her gathering of wildflowers. Or perhaps because we were taught about the healing and nurturing traits of plants for survival in the wilderness while living in a secluded northern community. When I wasn't yet two years old I remember being fascinated by a field of dandelions so I gathered a handful for my new baby brother. While living in the country I used to gather wild rosebuds to make rosehip tea for my daughter and I and I remember creating fairy houses with carpets of soft pussy toes in my childhood. So this year I have prepared 52 new canvases all measuring 8x10 inches and will delve into wildflowers, their stories and their healing medicine.
NOTE: To view entire image and read more about it, please click on the photos below.
