An early morning mist shrouds the field, the trees, and the garden. A woman steps out of the mist and into view directing her camera towards a delicate, dew-drenched flower. Birds are waking, their morning song and chatter celebrating the new rising of the sun. And so, another day begins gathering images of nature for the paintings of Ottawa-based fine artist, Heather Bale. These many morning hikes through Ottawa’s greenspaces demonstrates an artist at home with nature and with physical movement.
We have a collection of Heather’s paintings hanging upon our walls, There are a few of her miniatures, a wonderous copse, a pond, birds, and a larger work that portrays a hidden woodland covered in moss. I imagine Heather, a camera in one hand, a paint brush in the other, wearing a kilt and dancing shoes. Dancing shoes? Well, Heather’s artistry extends beyond the easel to the dance floor as a member of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society. For one who walks daily into the fields in search of natural images, it is easy to imagine Heather dancing lightly into the evenings.
Heather has displayed her visual art at many art shows, including the Glebe Art in Our Gardens event, the Three Artful Ladies seasonal showcases, and helped raise funds for the Friends of the Farm on the Experimental Farm. Her art has hung in galleries and appeared on calendars. Heather’s body of work captured the attention of the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival who were in search of a new poster. Heather’s love of nature seemed a perfect fit for the designer of the 27th annual festival. When she was asked for a design, she quickly got to work.
That first poster of children and animals listening to an elder became a centerpiece of not only posters but introduced each of the festival’s videos as well. The following year the festival reached out again. This time Heather began with last year’s image and played with it. The forest setting became a clearing with wildflowers. The elder became a younger version through whom the spirit of the elders could flow. What a beautiful visual metaphor for storytelling, for do we not channel the past in the telling of our tales?
And then, the Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival got involved with this year’s World Storytelling Day project, the theme of which is Lost and Found. In Canada this project is being sponsored by the Storytellers of Canada / Conteurs du Canada. Rising to the challenge, a team from the festival gathered over several days and discussed possible ideas. Just as seeds scattered on fertile ground will sprout when given the right conditions, ideas flourished, and one in particular was harvested. Why not create a short, animated video without any words, and have children create their own stories? One wordless video, many possible storylines, as the children try to find the Lost Story.
An animator, Tina Le Moine, agreed to participate. An idea was storyboarded: let us begin with last year’s poster and end with this year’s poster? Now more images were needed for the animation. Heather was asked and she stepped up to the plate to take a swing with her paintbrush to draw the characters in a variety of positions for the animation. The result, a three-minute video collaboration with animator Tina Le Moine that brings to life the animals, the characters, and the nature of Heather Bale.
From out of the mist on an early morning walk, onto a canvas and easel, and into the world of animation, a creative journey from Ottawa’s Heather Bale to our 28th Ottawa Children’s Storytelling Festival and this year’s Lost Story.