paigelcarter

Completed 2023

Watercolor and ink and colored pencil, on weighted paper, 24in x 36in

When I began this work I was breathing from a place of rebirth. A rebirth for the Earth through fire and evolution, but also a resurgence of love connecting human and non-human neighbors together. There is an intensity to the wild cycles of life that humanity cringes from. The void of death fills us with fear, but the cycles of life can only breath because of death. Our past can only be processed when we give it the attention it needs and not judge it for what it wasn’t. We must let things die in order to be born.

The water cycle is born of the breath of trees. Soil is made from the death of trees. Insects are fed by the decay of life. Seeds are spread by the migrations of life. Forests thrive from the rebirth of fire. These all have their role, and so do we. This is the core message and inspiration of this artwork.

The ecological relationships within this artwork were inspired by the academic work of Lyla June, a Doctoral student who has conducted research on indigenous methods of conservation based agriculture, where the ecosystems of wild spaces are integrated into human food systems. She has researched the evidence of this. I believe her work speaks volumes to what the role of humanity should be on this planet: Ecological and emotional stewards of the earth and each other. We are all walking each other home.

As I reconcile with my past, I find reflections of my own struggle in the way humanity treats the earth. When I judge myself, it creates hostility. When I accept and love myself, I create connection. When I’m speaking, I’m not listening. When we listen to each other we learn. What does nature have to tell us? What does our missing history have to tell us? What can I gain from letting myself receive instead of take? How can we be like water, and give without expectations?

The specific food system that inspired this work is from the indigenous method of burning prairie land in North America, preparing the grazing path of buffalo. That fire also strengthened the oak trees, fortifying them from pests and reinforcing them as a reliable food source for human and non-human communities. This relationship has been proven through carbon dating, showing that this agroforestry tradition existed for thousands of years prior to European contact. What history has been lost in Europe’s history? What ingenious knowledge could we all learn from to prepare us for the future? Could we stop judging our past and instead let it fill us with connection and inspiration? Lessons of what not to do, and what we need to do again.

The plant Life depicted in this artwork are as follows: Bear berry, Holy, White Clover, Fir Pine pinecone, White Oak acorn. The wild Life depicted in this artwork: Black Bear, Blue Jay, Monarch Caterpillar and chrysalis, Black Ants and larvae, and a Human face. The golden sun rays and light energy that travels throughout the food web connect these living relationships. I depicted this light throughout the image to illustrate the ecological relationships, but also to reference the inspiration that comes to those who listen to nature. The human face is relaxed, as if she’s dreaming, with the rays of light entering her eyes. Her inspiration is coming from nature, bringing her closer to a true version of herself, not limited to the what has happened, but full of what could be.

The bears eat the berries, creating waste. That waste feeds the soil, creating plant life. That foliage protects and feeds wildlife, creating habitat and allowing birds and bears to live. Humans manage this space with fire so that these relationships can continue. That fire strengthens the oat. The oak produces acorns. The birds carry and eat the acorns, spreading the trees. The new trees create more habitat and food for humans, plants, and animals.

These connects were spun with loving threads of light and community. We grow what we feed.

This artwork is the beginning of a easing into myself as an artist. It’s taken 20 years of art making, but I’m starting to let myself tell a story in my art. For so long I was this raw, emotional wound, using art to heal my soul. I’m starting to get scar tissue now, and carry my history instead of living in it. I want to give back to my community, find my emotional and communal habitat. As I treat myself like a plant, a creature with special unique talents and needs, it’s become easier to allow myself to be me, and not push myself to be someone I don’t want to be. I was spun with loving threads, and my path is illuminated by light.