The Art of Nature

    Sunrise                                                                                                                                                                                    Photo by Becky

This last week was a whirlwind of exciting events including the visit to Big Springs with Dr. Andrew Sansom.  A friend wrote about it on his blog and I really couldn't add more, other than my own perspective watching this occur and being a part of it.  See his blog here. http://dallastrinitytrails.blogspot.com/2014/12/texas-water-conservation-in-focus-at.html

A few from the group of supporters for the preservation of Big Spring met with Dr. Sansom before his program at TRAC for the Annual NTMN Awards Meeting.  The attention, suggestions, advice, and so much more could not have been more appreciated by our group.  This man graciously gave his time and expertise to us so that we can continue to do the best for the preservation of the Spring and the area around it.  There is much more study and hydrological research to be done to make sure that this site is protected and continues as a living symbol of the early settlement history of Dallas.

So how does art fit into this?  It was all around us while we were there.  The changing colors of the foliage, sunlight reflecting off the water, leaves floating on the surface of the spring fed pond, the trickle of the water as it flowed from the upper pond to the lower before it flowed to Bryan's Slough then on to White Rock Creek and the Trinity, eventually making its way into the Gulf of Mexico.  The sound was mesmerizing.  Add to that the voices all around us of the birds, it was nearing twilight and they were having the final say-so before the last of the daylight left them in the enveloping darkness.  There was a slight chill to the air and the sounds it carried brought a sense of peacefulness, as if in the serenade before nightfall we were being thanked for what we are trying to do.  My interpretation....

                                          Eastern Bluebirds on Cedar Fence                                      Photo by Becky

Artists have interpreted nature since man began drawing on cave walls the animals they saw and hunted.  We try to replicate the sounds of nature with musical instruments, which brings to mind the music from "Peter and the Wolf".  Poetry and songs are written that include nature, 'I think that I shall never see...' and 'from the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam'...... and some buildings are constructed so as to bring nature within, compliments of the great architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.

In spite of the industrialization, the constant covering of the land with concrete and metal we still seek to find our solace and reason for being through our connection with nature.  The natural world transfixes us when we take the time to watch the darkness of the night sky surrender slowly across the horizon to the breaking dawn.

I cannot imagine being without this connection to the natural world around us.  When you look for the art of nature you will be surprised at the places you will find it and how often you will see it.  It is all around us.

Two examples from the Hall of State fabulous collection of art work.  These were designed by the John Livers Lighting Company and represent the native flora of our state, a stylized Yucca bloom stalk as a finial on one of the exquisite floor lamps and Prickly Pear cactus and grasses on the famous Longhorn Sconces at the Great Hall entrance.  Beautiful!