MEMORIES ARE GOLDEN II

 Memories of having been there, and experienced the moment are important. Much better than relying upon photographs.

When  A. J. Casson, a member of the Group Of Seven, was aged, unable to clamber about the bush, or climb the hills, he and his wife would drive about the countryside, and enjoy a picnic while he would make loose pencil sketches of scenes to be painted during the long Canadian winters, relying upon memory to fill in the spaces.

Landscape Sketch.  A.J.Casson

A moment experienced is a memory stored, allowing for one to ponder and consider, often resulting in a painting or drawing years later. 

There was this time when we were camping at Rushing Rapids Provincial Park in Northern Ontario. The day had been perfect, and the sunset was unreal. We took to the canoe to get a different perspective, and were treated to a show when a couple of common loons splash landed in the water ahead and put on a bit of a show before disappearing in the lakes deep, dark waters. I stored the memory, and sometime later made some sketches and drawings that I turned into an intaglio (etching) print. I also wrote a poem to go with the print....

STILL WATERS
On a northern lake,
the twilightʼs quiet is broken by the haunting cry
of a Common loon.

Our canoe floats, between sky and water
in the twilightʼs reflection.

Paddling silently, we drift, anticipating.

The loon surfaces at our bow, aware,
undisturbed.

Its reflection fills the ripples of its forward motion.
It dips its head, dives, and disappears 

in the dark, 

deep, 

still waters.

Still Waters.        Pencil Study

Still Waters.  Coloured Etching

Still Waters. Etching