One of the original acrylic paintings which Karen did for the book was on display at the SONSI Exhibit 2012.

“Born This Way.” Lori Dunn, scratchboard.

While I’m not a Lady Gaga fan or anything, I did rip off the title of one of her songs to make a point. If society is supposed to be accepting of humans of all races, sizes… and lifestyles, why can’t we be accepting of all forms of animal life as well? Reptiles have gotten a bad rap since the beginning of mankind…. This little hatchling crocodile, if it makes it to adulthood, will face a life of fear and persecution from humans ignorant to its real beauty and importance on our planet.

A smaller group of us then drove over to Kitchener’s Huron Natural Area for a leisurely stroll. After taking a quick look at the interpretive signs near the front entrance (which I illustrated last year), we walked by the pond where we saw lots of painted turtles, including one log with about 10 of them piled on. In the woods, the white trilliums and trout lilies were at their peak. We spotted many butterflies, including mourning cloaks, red admirals, question marks, and painted ladies on their larval host plant, pussytoes. In a white pine we saw the home of a Pine Tube Moth, which Fiona later identified as Argyrotaenia pinatubana. On the way back to the parking lot, we admired a patch of red trilliums that included some pale yellow individuals.

Throughout the day: great conversations with interesting people and perfect weather. It couldn’t have been better!
-Emily

See more photos from the day on the event page.

Over five hundred entries were submitted, by 220 artists from 18 countries. Patricia Kernan of the NYSM called the quality of the artwork “spectacular, making the selection a challenge”.

Karen Reczuch, Loon

Four exhibitors are SONSI members: Kathryn Chorney, Emily Damstra, Dino Pulera, and Karen Reczuch. For an international exhibit, Southern Ontario is pretty well represented!

Some thoughts from the jurors (taken from the FON website):

“Focus on Nature began as an experiment. We sought to demonstrate the connection between science and images; stimulate an interest in natural history art among practicing artists, aspiring artists and the public; and bring this art to the attention of people attending what has come to be called the Northeast Natural History Conference. Those thoughts still guide the jury. We think our experiment has worked because visual communication, like a universal language, will always help scientists explain complex objects and concepts to a general audience.

Emily Damstra, Paraspirifer bownockeri

Dino Pulerà, Hammerhead skull, brain, dorsal view.

Kathryn Chorney, Great Horned Owl.

Over the years, the quality of submissions has improved, the kinds of materials and media used has expanded, and the geographic representation of artists has broadened. Artworks considered for inclusion must accurately represent the subjects, or research results and processes.

Vic (from the Gallery) and Emily ponder placement.

Hanging the exhibit Sunday Morning.

Cutting a template from yellow craft foam. Photo: Elizabeth Pratt.

Continuing with the Celtic themed Robbie Burns day workshop that began the Ghillie Brogues creation (or recreation) SONSI members recongregated at Hall Train studios on St Patricks day for the next stage of the workshop. The Ghillie Brogue, and in particular this Ghille Brogue was the footwear of choice for the Celtic Scotts. Or at least the one who lost his shoe in a bog some time ago, providing history, the ingenuity of Hall Train and the curiosity of SONSI members with a fascinating artifact.

The workshop began with the fantastically coloured foam mock-ups that members had begun to create in the first workshop.  After carefully taping them in place the elegant process of crafting the lacing began (with much help and guidance from Hall).  As everyone’s shoes began to take shape it was interesting to see how each member wanted to ensure that each of their individual needs were met in the final design. This particular design is very adaptable and can easily be altered to meet each individual need, another accomplishment of such an ancient and seemingly outmoded design.

As the final leather shoes were cut and laced, members began to look as ease in their new footwear. Once the final sewing has been done it is entirely possible that these shoes will be seen being worn by members.  I wonder though if they will ever be tested out on the original earthy damp terrai that they were originally designed for?

Enormous thanks should go to Hall for sharing his expertise, time and studio with SONSI, and also to Kathryn and Joseph.

- Elizabeth

See more photos in the event gallery.