The visual poetry of Sheila June
There’s nothing as relentless as spring. Buds form when snow is still on the ground, and the season progresses even when some of us aren’t quite ready physically or psychologically to step out of our dens into the cold light. As our human observances reflect through Lent and Ramadan, spring is the season of discomfort – and faith, newness, and growth.
With an eye for painterly, delectable colour and a keen instinct for composition, Sheila June gives us some beautiful rosy images for springtime. Our tendency to celebrate flowers in full, extravagant bloom sometimes causes us to miss the early beginnings of growth unfolding all around us. These more subtle changes occur on a starker background, without the protection of summer foliage. For Sheila these images call to mind our human cycles:
“Human growth is the same as flower growth . . . While most people see a flower’s beauty, I noticed the tiny buds. I love the contrast and the size difference between the flower and the bud. Like a mother and her child.”
Some of us leave our comfort zones more easily than others! This time Sheila is reporting from abroad where she is, once again, challenging herself to explore new directions and leave her comfort zone. This time she is working in sound artistry and design:
“I find art, photography, and music to be similar. When I was a painter, I created lots of texture and layers. I’m using the same application with my music.”
And here again it is Nature that inspires:
“I’ve recently been recording nature sounds and implementing them in my music. I also recently bought a device that records the electromagnetic field of a plant. I’m really into using the healing properties of the plant music. Most of my music is 432 hz frequency, which is known to be healing.”
