Art on the Trail, 2016

“The poetry of the earth is never dead.” ― John Keats

As of last week, my work is hung and installed along the Red Trail at Lake Roland. It always feels like a relief to finally put the work in the place that I’ve envisioned in my mind’s eye while I was working. It is not complete until it is in its place.

With a ladder and help from my tall husband, we were able to get my woven and crocheted piece “Social Network” in place between the two trees that I picked out back in October.

Artist Statement:
Underneath the ground, a fungal network exists that connects trees and plants to one another and allows for communication and the sharing of resources. This network exemplifies one of the great lessons of ecology- that organisms are all interconnected and interdependent. This woven and crocheted piece brings this lesson above ground to remind us that none of us are separate beings.

Whenever I would take my in process photos to share here, the wall or the table was always behind this part. But this is how I always envisioned it- with the trees around and above.

My other piece along the red trail is called “Unnatural Selections”, a book art sculpture.

Artist Statement:
Human impacts on Earth, such as climate change and the depletion of natural resources, are forcing accelerated adaptation and at worse, extinction. This book art was created using melted brown plastic grocery bags and bound to tree bark to speak to this battle between the natural and unnatural world. Land stewardship is key to slowing down the rapid environmental changes.

Doing this type of work makes my heart sing. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to use my artwork to educate the public about environmental issues that mean so much to me. We are all connected and need to take care of the earth that sustains us.

For local people, there is a Meet the Artist Reception this Sunday, rain or shine. Dress warmly and wear your hiking boots! Warm beverages will be served. Hope to see you there!

“The way we pay attention to the world can make a huge difference in the way we experience it.” Gabrielle Leblanc