NANCY BANKS
Winter Brush
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)
PROJECT STATEMENT:
The space I hold most sacred is found outdoors in the woods and fields. In all weather. In all seasons. It’s where I’m most able to sort through the endless noise in my brain; thoughts ramming into one another, ‘to-do lists’, dreams, ideas, never-ending worries and even their solutions can merge into chaos. But a quiet walk is a time for me to reflect, focus, redirect, and finally find clarity.
Winter - in its stillness and quiet - offers special gifts. The snow provides a path to explore the fields that in other seasons are reserved for viewing from afar. Snowshoes and skis allow me to wander and stumble into unexpected vistas and views. Stripped of the brilliant summer color and autumn foliage, in winter I find nature’s simple silent underbelly. I uncover what has been previously masked by all the visual noise and distraction. What has been hidden, is revealed.
Newly fallen snow acts as a warm blanket covering the land. It’s also the perfect canvas on which to photograph these unseen hidden gems. They are remnants of the past, survivors of the bush hog, a reminder of what was and a hope of what will be. Stark and bared of their foliage and color, what remains is a study of shape, texture, line and form.Fall ice - so delicate on the branches. A heavy frost burying summer fruit before the relentless cold and smothering snow of winter really arrives.
Time to move on to the next season of pictures.
* * *
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
My husband Gary and I moved to Morrisville in 2015 after living in Massachusetts for 35 years. We were drawn to Morrisville when our youngest daughter enrolled at Johnson State. Like our daughter, we fell in love with Vermont - the beauty, the people, the food, the outdoors. After retiring, it took us three months to find a house and start a new life.
For me that meant new learnings – hiking, biking, and getting out the camera that had been sitting in a closet unused for years. At first the camera was a tool to explore my new community, tell stories, and document the growing gardens around my house. But it is also a tool that encourages me to explore, walk slower, lay-down in a field, and simply look. It is a tool to see.
* * *
All artwork is available for sale.
For pricing information contact
Nancy Banks:
nancybanks1@gmail.com