Biophilia
Showing at Douro-Dummer Public Library Art Gallery
(May 1st - June 30th)
Immerse yourself deep in the deciduous forests of Southern Ontario and feel our innate connection with the natural world. Nature contains everything we need from shelter, food, and medicines, so it is not surprising that gazing upon the natural world can offer health benefits. Protecting our established forests may also be one of the most important and effective ways to help protect against climate change. While gazing upon this series allow yourself to feel the protective connection that we have with our forest and appreciate the beautiful complexity of forest ecosystems.
"Humanity is exalted not because we are so far above other creatures but knowing them well elevates the very concept of life.” E.O. Wilson, Biophilia
Warsaw Caves - Limestone Outcrop
Original 16"x20" oil painting, $450 (available). Limited signed prints are also available for purchase in the store.
Limestone outcrops define the forest at Warsaw Caves. Managed by the Otonabee Regional Conservation Authority the Limestone caves creates a diversity of habitat for animals and spelunking opportunities for visitors. The cedar forest filled with ferns, mosses, and fungi, grows among and above the limestone plains which themselves are remnants of the Ordovician sea bed. It is hard to imagine life 400,000,000 years ago when we were on the warm sea bed, sitting south of the equator. Can you find any fossils in this painting?
Warsaw Caves - Fern forest
Original 16"x20", oil painting, $450 (available). Limited signed prints are also available for purchase in the store.
Ecologically, ferns are most common plants of shaded damp forests of both temperate and tropical zones (Britanica). Some fern species grow equally well on soil and upon rocks; others are confined strictly to rocky habitats, where they occur in fissures and crevices of cliff faces, boulders, and taluses. Wood ferns, walking ferns, and spleenworts can all be found at warsaw caves.
Burnham forest - Jack (or Jill) -in-the-pulpit
Original 16"x20", oil painting $450 (available). Limited signed prints also available for sale.
Jack (or Jill) -in-the-pulpits (Arisaema triphyllum) are pollinated by fungus gnats that fall into the flower and can escape through a hole in the flower of males but not the females, this is a rare Femme-fetal of the plant world (learn more here). To live up to its name, Jack-in-the-pulpits are also poisonous to humans but when cooked the bulbs (Indian turnip) can be eaten or ground into flour to be used medicinally relieving colds, fevers, and snake bites. While found in some regions of the maritimes and south western Quebec, this beautiful plant is mostly found in South parts of Eastern and Central Ontario - make sure to look under it's large leaves so you do not miss it in the late spring! Learn more about walking through Mark S. Burnham forest here. The forest is managed by Parks Canada.
Oatbox Forest - Maidenhair Ferns
original 20"x24", oil painting, $500 (available). Limited signed prints also available for sale.
The maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) is a graceful plant with a fan-like pattern, and is unique among Ontario native ferns. Used for medicinal purposes, they contain chemicals that help reduce swelling (inflammation). Maidenhair fern has been traditionally used for coughs, menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), wound healing, and other ailments. This maiden hair fern cluster is currently protected by the Otonabee Regional Conservation authority in the Oatbox Forest which is apart of the Otonabee Conservation Agreement Forest in the Kawarthas.
Bloodroot found in the countryside
Original, 12"x16", oil painting with oil pastel highlights, $400 (available). Limited signed prints also available for sale.
This fragile spring flower rises from the center of its curled leaf, opening in full sun. Member of the Poppy Family, it’s flower is short lived. The red juice can be used as a dye and insect repellant.
Trout Lilies
Original, 12"x16", oil painting, $400 (available).
Limited signed prints also available for sale.
Trout Lilies, Erythronium americanum, are one of the first plants to flower in the spring. Trout Lilies carpet the forest floor and are recognized by its mottled foliage and delicate yellow lily flower. The Trout Lily has a symbiotic relationship with ants, feeding them with a lipid rich seed appendage, while ants help to spread their seeds underground. This cluster of trout lilies is located at the Douro Art Studios location.
Red Columbine - Aquilegia canadensis
original 16"x20", oil painting, $400.
A member of the buttercup family, the beautiful red columbine has long tubular structures that store the precious nectar. This nectar has 2x the sugar content of regular nectar and can only be accessed by a few insects – including long-tongued sphinx moths (although some beetles cheat by biting through). When looking at this flower you can also expect that it is a food source for ruby-throated humming birds who also pollinate the plant, as the red and yellow colouring of the flower is mimicked by many hummingbird feeders. More information can be found on this USDS webpage.
Northern Flicker
oil painting
Wild Creek
oil
Fern forest bed
Acrylic
Light Confusion
original 36" x 36", oil on canvas, $1500
"Light confusion" refers to the disruption of natural light patterns caused by excessive artificial light at night, also known as "light pollution," which can confuse animals and disrupt their natural behaviors like feeding, mating, and migration by mimicking or masking important light cues, often leading to disorientation and negative impacts on their survival and reproduction. The artist illuminates the issue and asks you to reflect on your own impact on your environment.
Wandering Wood Frog
original 24" x 24", oil on canvas, $800
Wood frogs are the most terrestrial of the true frog family that we have in Ontario. Here we find one meandering through the forest camouflaged among roots of a cedar tree undertake foliage of false Solomon seal. Wood frogs are often found far from waterbodies because they have the ability to over winter in the forest with their anti-freeze hibernation physiology.