From Inspiration to Creation: The Dragons of DeForest Public Art Project (Part 1)
When the opportunity to participate in DeForest’s public art exhibition first presented itself, I envisioned a scaly hulking beast looming over me in all of it’s majesty. So, imagine my surprise when this sweet, droopy-eyed image of a dragon was attached to the proposal form!
Upon showing my then seven-year-old son, he ran to his bedroom and returned with a small, green stuffed dragon that he insisted inspired the statue (we confirmed it with the organizer, he was right!). He began spouting off ideas for how we would painting the eyes, the wings, the tail...
… and that decided it. When else would I get a chance to share such a magical project with him like that?
I had to make room for a five-foot-tall dragon statue.
The proposal called for artists to submit concepts related to the village of DeForest - even though it is only a fifteen-minute drive from my studio, I’d only ever passed through DeForest a handful of times since moving to the area. After having just spent several month focused on natural materials for my Gem Collection, I looked to the landscape for answers.
A quick search led me to the Yahara River, which begins just north of DeForest and flows southward, connecting southcentral Wisconsin. Since much of my abstract work is rooted in the lines and textures repeated in nature, such as root systems, veins, and riverways, it seemed like the perfect place to start.
Yahara Watershed (Google Earth)
After submitting my proposal, I fell down the research-rabbit hole, learning that though the river had been heavily polluted by industrial waste in the early 20th century, clean up efforts began in the 1960s and continue today through organizations like The Clean Lakes Alliance.
“It’s our drinking water. It’s my son’s bath, my husband’s garden, and every one of my watercolor paintings.”
Yahara River Parkway looking north toward E. Washington Ave (Blokfluiter, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)
But the five Yahara Lakes aren’t just an opportunity to take out the boat or go ice fishing, this is DeForest’s drinking water. It’s our drinking water. It’s my son’s bath, my husband’s garden, and every one of my watercolor paintings.
“All water in the Yahara Watershed is connected. Our lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater make up critical components of an interdependent hydrologic system. Given the immeasurable value of clean drinking and surface water to Greater Madison, ALL our water resources demand respect, protection, and wise stewardship for the betterment of future generations.”
This project went from something cute to share with my son to an opportunity to raise awareness of the impact water has on our lives, locally and globally, and the importance of protecting it.
Stay tuned for part two, where I’ll talk more about anxiety-inducing deadlines and gathering inspiration at the Upper Yahara River Trail!
