Art Adventures - by Patricia Banks©
Published July 2017 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
Published July 2017 in Nanaimo Magazine and Voyager Magazine
“To be an artist is to believe in life.” I love this quote from Henry Moore. Obviously, this sentiment applies to many other people as well, but I like to think that artists have a special way of looking at and interpreting life. Fortunate are those who hold value and respect for the sanctity of all life. They have a true understanding of the here and now.
Recently, we returned from a hiking trip to Wells Gray Park and Jasper National Park. After winter’s drawn out goodbyes, the eventual unfolding of spring this year was one of Mother Nature’s most anticipated charms. We hiked amid colourful spring flower meadows, through rugged terrain up and down mountain slopes, and clung to slippery boardwalks over saturated marshlands. High water and flooding were apparent everywhere. Waterfalls spectacularly careened over cliffs into swollen rivers and lakes, which knew no bounds, and overflowed onto the lowlands.
Our senses tingled with the positive energy of the beautiful plants and animals we encountered in this vast wilderness. At every turn, I was awed, by the breath-taking scenery. I kept pondering how I might turn my impressions of each of these wonderful scenes into something equally exceptional when I put my brush to my canvas. My wish is to have my viewers feel and absorb the amazing energy we were privileged to be immersed in.
To believe in life is to notice the individuality and glory of all species, to appreciate the beauty of the living geography that surrounds us, and to be inspired by the interconnected wonder of it all. To believe in life is to have hope for the future. The opportunity to believe in life belongs to everyone.
Recently, we returned from a hiking trip to Wells Gray Park and Jasper National Park. After winter’s drawn out goodbyes, the eventual unfolding of spring this year was one of Mother Nature’s most anticipated charms. We hiked amid colourful spring flower meadows, through rugged terrain up and down mountain slopes, and clung to slippery boardwalks over saturated marshlands. High water and flooding were apparent everywhere. Waterfalls spectacularly careened over cliffs into swollen rivers and lakes, which knew no bounds, and overflowed onto the lowlands.
Our senses tingled with the positive energy of the beautiful plants and animals we encountered in this vast wilderness. At every turn, I was awed, by the breath-taking scenery. I kept pondering how I might turn my impressions of each of these wonderful scenes into something equally exceptional when I put my brush to my canvas. My wish is to have my viewers feel and absorb the amazing energy we were privileged to be immersed in.
To believe in life is to notice the individuality and glory of all species, to appreciate the beauty of the living geography that surrounds us, and to be inspired by the interconnected wonder of it all. To believe in life is to have hope for the future. The opportunity to believe in life belongs to everyone.
