Autumn Tree turning leaf of dropcloth 2 Print

This autumn tree collage is created from leaves made from a dropcloth; the sheets of paper I use to cover my work surface when I paint; they start out catching drips and spills from other artwork, a place where I check pens and colours, and eventually become their own works of art. The colours of autumn inspire me in so many ways, I love the changing of the seasons. The exact colours in the landscape varies depending on where you live. Growing up in Ontario I loved the delicate pinks of Sugar Maples. Now that I live in BC, the bold gold/orange, occasionally spotted leaves of the Big Leaf Maple are what inspires me. Trees give one a sense of place, and I find that comforting. I make friends with trees, and I have fond memories of specific trees in particular places; the Willow tree I climbed with my cousins, the big Beech tree at the farm where I spent weekends with my parents. I think this is why trees appear so frequently in my artwork. As a person of European ancestry born in Canada I acknowledge my settler privilege, and I undertake to show respect for the beautiful land I'm grateful to inhabit now.