I have been super busy in my studio , making much work, especially for the galleries that open for the summer around now. I just sent a big shipment off to The Moorings in Mahone Bay, and Flight of Fancy will be next. All the other galleries need more work a.s.a.p. as well, so there is much to do. I love it! But it is why you haven’t heard from me much!
With one of the pieces, I am in a bit of a bind: As you may recall, one of my newer designs is the Maple Leave ring. Problem is: no leaves on trees yet around here! I have been waiting and waiting for the leaves to grow, so that I can begin making more of these new rings. I only made a couple in the initial design phase, and before I knew it the leaves were gone! This is the trouble with making nature-based, one-of-a-kind work, I guess. Well worth it, though :)
A couple of weeks ago, I got adventurous and curious, when, out on a walk with my dog, I found a branch lying on the ground. Might this be a maple branch? Branches are basically another form of line, and line is what turns my crank, so I was intrigued. Secondly I am always interested in growth. So I picked up the branch and put it in a glass of water by my kitchen window. And lo behold: it really was a maple branch! Here is a photo of the tiny leaves that sprouted forth.
I was considering just using these leaves to make at least on more ring in the series, but, sitting there, so delicate and vulnerable and pretty, I just can’t … the leaves would be destroyed in the process. So I am sorry to say that you will have to wait for this new series to come into galleries until a few weeks after proper maple leaves are out there on the trees!
Plenty of things to do still for me, though. Here is a photo of what I have sitting on my bench this morning:
So, off I go! I made a fire in the wood stove of the studio early this morning, and as long as I can make it through the pouring rain, it should be cosy inside the studio by now. I’ll turn the radio to CBC2, and I’ll be very content.
