A few weeks ago, in addition to documenting the turbulent waters of the Bow river, I made and donated some small paintings to a very interesting flood relief project.
The project was initiated by artist Terri Heinricks, who wanted to help with relief efforts after several rivers in southern Alberta flooded their banks, wreaking havoc for many.
Terri made the Alberta Flood Rose Project website and put out a call to artists, asking for 4x4" wall pieces depicting Alberta' provincial flower, the wild rose.. Around 450 artists responded!
Here's a short video about the Alberta Flood Rose Project, and a link to the site's gallery page, which shows all the work together. They do look fantastic!
I feel so honoured to be able to participate in this initiative. Like many other artists, I wanted to help with flood relief efforts in a substantial way. How better to do so than to work collectively to create something larger than any one of us could do alone?
I don't often paint flowers, and it was lovely to sit in our garden, enjoying the activity of the bees as they collected wild rose pollen, and finding inspiration in these seemingly delicate flowers that grow everywhere here, thriving in this harsh prairie climate which includes droughts and floods.
The experience of painting those roses was made all the sweeter with the knowledge that they would become part of a collective flood relief effort, joined by artists from all over Alberta and a few from Ontario - and even one from Australia!
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