artist’s muse
Exploring the natural world through art By Ginger Huebner WNC Parent columnist
My family and I are often out exploring the beautiful landscape we are blessed to call home here in Western North Carolina. It is rare that we don’t find some fascinating item that gets picked up and studied, and often will lead us into having a wonderful conversation about how much the natural world can teach us. This summer, both my children and I have had some unique discoveries. Most recently, I was invited to visit a friend’s beehive as research for a commissioned work of art. I put the bee protection on and tromped down to the hives as the shadow of the official beekeeper. I glanced over his shoulder as he opened up the hives and pointed out different things to me. It was spectacular. They were like machines: hard at work, with specific tasks at hand from the bottom to the top of the hive and across the field to the flowers that they were pollinating. If there was ever something that could make you simply be in awe of our natural world, it was this. I was given a small piece of the honeycomb that the bees were working on. Every single cell is perfectly formed, woven together by paper-thin walls of wax. The two sides of the honeycomb are offset from one another perfectly, for better structural support. Wow. In one of our summer art camps this year, we used the wasp nest and honeycomb to inspire a simple project using cut paper and tape. While a very elementary project, the connection back to the world of nature is a powerful one. And the impact it had on the students was impressive. The process involves cutting small strips of different colored paper (or you could use a specific selection of colors). Using tape, create circles with the strips of paper. Now tape them together. Keep on going; and who knows — maybe an
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Looking for inspiration? Turn to nature, such as this honeycomb. SPECIAL TO WNC PARENT entire wall of your home will be covered in this amazingly simple work of art! Ginger Huebner is the director of Roots + Wings
School of Art, which offers visual art classes for all ages. Email her at info@rootsandwingsarts.com or visit www.rootsandwingsarts.com.
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