Christine Rivers (Canada) – Rocks and Water
The Englishman River is the closest river to our home in Parksville, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada. We swim, walk, run and hike up the river in many locations, from the estuary at the mouth of the river to higher upstream, to up in the mountain where the waters begin. There are trails along the river and through the trees. The trees are big maples, alders, and lots of conifers. The location on the river that my tapestry is inspired by is higher up, above the waterfalls, where the water is clearer, colder and green. Higher up the river where fewer people go. Even in summer, it is cold in the water here. The water is snow melt and rainfall from our local mountain, Mount Arrowsmith. There are rocks on the side of the river, under the water and on the other side. In my tapestry, I try to show the rocks under the clear water. I push the colours of the rocks on the sides of the river to make it more vibrant. More the colours of my feelings of the place than the realistic image. The rocks are big boulders, and smaller. They are good for sitting on to have your picnic lunch by the river. It is a peaceful place to sit and watch the water flow. Sometimes the waters are gently flowing, sometimes roaring past. After our visit, we hike back along the river and up the hill. The forest and river are a place of peace for me. A place to go to get away from the busy-ness of life, to gain calm, to be in the moment. Weaving tapestry is another way to get into flow, to come to peace and to calm.