The Forest Floor
Assemblage

My inspiration comes from my surroundings, and this has resulted in a wide range of landscapes over the past six years. The beginnings of "The Forest Floor" came about by looking at the surprises beneath my feet and close to my eyes. A simple walk in the woods in the Kananaskis valley started this piece.

The forest floor, upon closer examination, was like a condominium complex housing many little creatures, both plant and animal, each somehow dependent upon the other for things like food, protection, shade, moisture, heat, sunlight. All seemed to live in harmony with each other.

There was no 'pattern' for "The Forest Floor". It started with lots of cuttings left over from trimming fabric or from other projects, and it was laid down as the initial floor. To hold it in place, netting was put on top of that. Then came all the little creatures and finally the leaves and berries.

I might say that it is not finished, as I have several mushrooms to find a home somewhere in this piece when it comes home again.

With landscapes, I start with a photo I have taken of a place. I hand paint, on silk or cotton, a sky that may or may not be similar to the picture. I make a pattern from the photo and have it blown up to the desired size being careful to ensure that the pieces will fit together. Typically I abandon my pattern at about the half-way mark, and proceed ad-lib to the finish. This causes a great deal of agony at times, but there is finally an end.

To produce original work, I am beginning to SEE as well as LOOK at what is around me, everywhere from my feet to the horizon. I am learning to focus on one piece at a time. Nature gives us so many views and topics.