datura

Taking photos of Jerzy's Datura plants at various stages of bloom. Such a relaxing way to spend a Sunday afternoon...

freda

One of my passions is literacy. I ran a not-for-profit adult literacy organization from 1997 to 2006. I left that position, choosing to follow a different path, but am still involved doing training and consultation. My literacy colleagues have embraced the "artist" me and often call upon me to bring some art influence to the literacy world. So when the Provincial literacy organization decided to honour the memory of Freda Hudson, an individual who made a significant contribution to literacy, by awarding a pin each year to a remarkable volunteer, they asked me to design a pin. So far 2 pins have been awarded and this year the recipient is more of a "pendant person" than a "pin person" so I made a pendant instead. I do not know the identity of the recipient yet. I will know tomorrow at the presentation ceremony.

Below is my concept for the design:

The design itself is a plant: roots firmly in the ground, and sprouting a "flower". This motif represents growth and implies something organic which continues to evolve. Freda's initials are worked into the roots to honour the foundation that she laid in our literacy community and to emphasize that many of the developments we have gained are "rooted" in her literacy work. The "flower" suggests an open book: a symbol of knowledge, learning, and literacy. The "leaves" are designed to suggest wings, a symbol of the freedom that we gain from having knowledge and skills.

As Freda was indeed a precious individual who shone brightly and reflected her brightness, silver was chosen as the material for her commemorative pin. The piercing technique used (cutting the design into the metal) honours the wearer of the pin as it allows the colour and texture of their own clothing to show through and interact with the pin, thus highlighting their own individuality and connecting them to Freda at the same time.

tundra life

And this is where it all makes sense to me. Laying on my belly observing things up close. Moulding to the rocks and the moss, flat against the tundra, one with the earth, the beauty so intense that I fill with gratitude.

first snow

My first morining in Kangirsuk, I awoke to a white world. Above is a shot from my hotel room window. Apparently I was privileged to witness the first snowfall of the season. Beautiful, but melted by the end of the day and no more snow for the rest of my visit.

kangirsuk

I'm back from Kangirsuk. Above is a photograph of the town (pop. 463) seen from my plane as I approached. Had a very nice time there, although was fogged in for three days which delayed my return home. No roads, so planes are the only way in and out. Got lots of work done, met some lovely people and fed my soul walking on the tundra. It looks so barren from a distance but once you set foot on the tundra, you are transported to a rich, colourful world of rocks, lichens, mosses, and plants. Below are some photos of the town and the landscape (often in the fog). More to come...

nunavik

As you are reading this I am in Nunavik. I'm here for 6 days doing some consulting work in Kangirsuk. I had the privilege of visiting Nunavik for 6 weeks in 2007 and thought I'd share some of my favourite images from that time until I'm back to share some new ones. The ruggedness of the rocks and the plants really reached into my soul and I've been yearning for them ever since. I'm doing this via the magic of a scheduled post because I doubt that I will have internet access here! By the time you see this post I will be winding up my trip here and gearing up to post my new photos. Stay tuned for next week...