Spring

Snippet of "Spring." The trout lily is an original pen & ink illustration I did for a small by might preserve in northeastern Illinois. The other elements seen are dried leaves and some wonderful papers.

"Spring," 21.5" x 36" 2022

Desperate for a release from the gray, bitter winters in the midwest, I made this piece imagining the return of spring.

This piece does exactly what I had hoped. It captures the joyful exuberance of spring's welcome return.

The fresh new green of emerging plants is a vibrant color best appreciated with the sunlight shining in from behind. I made the pen & ink illustration of the trout lily, Erythronium americanum, a number of years ago to promote a small hidden nature preserve in northeastern Illinois. The trout lily is a harbinger of spring, it was a perfect addition to this piece. I chose the tissue papers and reclaimed wrapping papers because of their joyful vibrance. Flower petals and leaves from my dried flower collection dance across the surface of this piece. Hints of metallic gold flash and play in the light throughout the day.

The textures and soft edges of the torn paper will make you want to be outdoors to welcome spring's return yourself - or serve as a perfect stand-in until you can get outside yourself.