Awakening Lands, 20×40”, oil on canvas
As winter’s final grasp begins to slip, to loosen, the unlocking of the long sub-Arctic winter night is complete. The change of seasons begins slowly, imperceptibly. Spring’s embrace warms the land and sky. The time of rest is over. The sky, she dances with delight casting her warming touch across the lands, across frozen waters. The tall, gangly black spruce rejoice, stretching awkwardly skyward greeting the sun’s return. Soon, skies will echo, resonating with songs from her nomadic migrating travellers on wings returning home once more. Her lands are not barren or devoid of life but instead a place resonating with energy and vitality. This ancient land remains strong, formidable and unfettered. A place we call home.
The northern landscape and her inhabitants are the focus of my work. I search for the essence of what and who she is. I listen to Her; I feel Her every mood. What does She reveal? How are we connected? Why does She matter? She is us; we are of Her. Our existence is inextricably connected. It is our moral responsibility to care, to nurture, to protect these ancient lands, waters and air. Unfortunately, the connection to the natural landscape for many has been lost or is absent from their consciousness.
Instead, the focus remains on material wealth gained at a great expense to our planet, to our environment. Despite thundering out pouring of warnings, and of enormous concerns regarding environmental destruction, degradation and climate change, a head long march continues toward a very uncertain future. A legacy of human blindness, of greed, of unsustainable “progress” leaves future generations at peril. A paradigm shift is urgently required.
