In Minnesota, we have turtle season. This state is covered in marsh land. The early weeks of summer begin as a spongy, wet soil gives way, letting your feet sink into the earth as if there is no solid ground beneath you and never will be. Among the geese, ducks, and possums making way along the marsh edge, are the turtles. some painter turtles, some snapping turtles, many I can’t identify. They cause traffic jams as they send cars skidding on shells, unable to find traction for a clean stop. Each mama turtle emerges from the swampy squish of late spring to find her spot and lay her eggs.
Once the high heat of mid-summer comes, the babies hatch and begin the long march to the water. It is only about 10 feet for most journeys, but it seems much further when the seagulls come and begin their feast on newborn turtles. The seagulls flings them in the air and catch the delicacies in their mouths for a short-lived snack for the birds and short-lived life for those babies. And then mama crawls back onto the grass, sunbathes for a few hours, and lays her nest again. It can be a sad season, in a way, but it is also beautiful as part of the cycle of life.
After a long 2020, I am looking forward to spring. With my impatience for summer of 2021, I painted turtles and sunshine, butterflies, and pattern.
If you like bright and vibrant, then the six new patterns recently finished will be right up your alley. Each pattern began as a collection of abstract alcohol ink paintings I cut up and reconstructed into collage paintings. From there, each collage painting was digitally set into a repeating pattern for a fun new release of prints, pillows, mugs and tote bags! This line is playful and colorful. We have sunshine and turtles, butterflies and snowflakes, and even an inky kaleidoscope.