Vernal Nest
Vernal Nest, Linda Jane Schmid
Near the till at Plenty we are honoured to be displaying Vernal Nest by Linda Jane Schmid, who works with us when not occupied painting and creating. Below is her artist statement about this evocative piece:
As a child growing up in the Vancouver area, I was encouraged to look closely at the word around me. Playing in the forested ravine behind our house, going on family camping trips and to the beach in summer, I developed a deep affinity for the natural world. As a young adult I lived in the Gulf Islands, embracing the values of a simple yet beauty-filled life, close to nature. My art-making practice developed through close observation of and delight in the myriad manifestations of natural forms. This painting, “Vernal Nest”, has something to say about the animating forces of nature and the interconnectedness of all life. In it I am expressing my perception and experience of the natural world as alive, mysterious, and articulate.
Linda Jane has shown other pieces at the store from time-to-time including her imaginative constructions of musical instruments (some of which are currently in the window next door at Studio Ryu), paintings from her Bee Series, and most recently from her Wind Series.
Vernal Nest evokes for me a sense of the simple utility and beauty of a home and it’s connections to place. It makes me think of the words of William Morris where he speaks of clearing the home of all but that which is essential and beautiful. At Plenty we recently received some William Morris cards from the Arts & Crafts Press including this one with his famous Golden Rule quote:
