This series was displayed in a solo exhibition at Melt Gallery and Studio at Base 31 in Picton from August 21 to September 14, 2025.
Field Notes explores the beautiful environment of Amherst Island,Ontario, where I spend summers with my family. These works combine careful observational drawings of local natural specimens with painterly rural and lakeside landscapes in my own unique style of scientific field notes. My career in Museum Education and love of botanical identification inspired this series. The nine large compositions on Mylar were divided into three themes: Earth, Wind, and Water; all essential elements of the island environment. Natural specimens, rhythmic gestures, and colour, define these symbolic themes.
The concept of scientific notes is underscored in several pieces through methodically drawn lines depicting foolscap paper. As an Educator, and life-long student, I have always loved the look and feel of old school foolscap paper.
The three mixed media collages incorporate the traditional Japanese technique of fish printing, Gyotaku. Ink is applied to the fish specimen, and then pressed onto paper. This technique has been used by Japanese fishermen to record their catches. I have practised this technique over many years, both in my own artwork, and with my art students. Years of wonderful memories fishing with my father as a child are symbolized in my own fish prints on handmade Japanese papers and layered within these collages.
The works of Field Notes are my visual poems dedicated to the island I love. May these works speak to you and inspire you to see our beautiful Canadian landscape in a new way.
Works not identified as sold remain available for purchase from Melt Gallery and Studio or directly from the artist.
