Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Kicking and Screaming

So I've joined the ranks of the bloggers. Since I've been dragged into this kicking and screaming I have to thank Joe for pushing me to share my work. I know it's good for me, even if I hate it. For the three people that are actually going to read this, I thought I'd tell you a little story about the title I chose for my blog.
I took a natural history of autumn class last fall and one of the plants that I saw a lot of was the fern in the picture to the left, the Sensitive Fern (Onoclea Sensibilis). It's called the sensitive fern because even though it's invasive, reproducing rapidly and covering large areas, it dies instantly when the first frost hits. Only the stiff brown stems holding the seed pods are left, standing like little soldiers, a memorial to the dead ferns laying at their feet. The cycle and the way the ferns grow, starting with the seed pods opening and in the spring the red fiddleheads uncurling, opening into the fern, reminds me so much of our own growth and the human form.
So, my artwork has taken a turn, exploring that connection. Since I've been so obsessed with it lately I thought Onoclea was appropriate for my blog for obvious reasons but also because it almost sounds like it could be a mysterious part of my own body that I haven't figured out yet. You never know!
I hope that wasn't too cheesy for all of you. I promise not all of my posts will be this serious. BLAH!! Oh yeah, I got these photos on Wikipedia but the one from my header is mine.