The Plan

The idea of this free inquiry project is to learn/improve on digital art skills.

By going on outdoor explorations, like walks to the beach, or simply my yard, I will take pictures, digitally draw the things I found, note observations, and make connections to those observations.

This topic idea is derived from class discussions on the importance and usefulness of creating your own graphics and incorporating aspects of outdoor education with connections to FFPL and Indigenous knowledges. (I have a book on various coastal art styles and hope to draw inspiration from it in a respectful way).

For programs, I originally intended to use procreate. However, it requires money; so I searched for ones that may be similar and Krita came up. I may change which application I am using, though for now, Krita seems to be working fairly well.

Feb 2nd Observations

The day was pretty with the sun glistening off the light bit of, slightly melting, snow, though in the open it was a tad windy. In the program I struggled a bit with hitting the wrong button and not knowing how to get out of it, eventually I figured it out. I first started with a cherry blossom, but quickly realized it was too intricate for a first attempt, so moved onto to a mushroom, then a hydrangea while reminiscing summer, finally a rhododendron.

When looking back at my observations from my expedition, there is not much information pertaining to specific significance to Indigenous relations (exceptionally less for island and ‘BC’ communities). Or sources briefly mention existence of a meaning, but not the importance or why of it.

As well as apparently drawn (hehe) to drawing things that are toxic; Mushrooms having poisonous psychoactive hallucinogenic properties (ibotenic acid and muscimol), Hydrangea (leaves) containing cyanide, and Rhodos having grayanotoxins

….. Well that got dark fast ….. Dangerous Digital Doodles?

Mushroom;

Drawn/Imaged is an Amanita mushroom of some variety. (Possible options; Fly Agaric, Western Panther, Panther cap/False Blusher, Blusher). This has solidified my knowledge that mushroom identification isn’t easy, even with the internet, and especially when you do not know the differences. However, I do know if you would have a pretty bad time if you were to eat it as all options (besides the blusher which turns pink when exposed to air) have harsh toxins.

This could be an interesting topic for students to learn about different chemicals and how they might effect someone who ingests them; fostering scientific connection, safety, and investigating how things may be more complex than they seem.

Especially without the proper identification, it is hard to say what Indigenous significance these mushrooms may have if any. (Possibilities being; medicinal, spiritual, or avoided all together).

Eye Naturalist; Western Panther (Amanita pantherinoides)

Hydrangea Flower;

Hydrangea fossils found in North America date back 40 to 65 million years (not reaching Europe until the 18th century). The blood orange (not the one drawn/imaged) a member of the hydrangea family and native to North America, can be used as compresses to externally relieve swellings, as an antirheumatic, for sores, hemorrhoids and eczema. A decoction can be taken internally for lung problems and as a cathartic. The strong, hard branches of the mock orange can be used to construct bows, arrows, digging sticks, fish spears, clubs, brooms, combs, tobacco pipes, cradle hoops, and snow shoes.

“Hydrangea” comes from the Greek words “hydro,” (water), and “angeion,” (vessel), refers to cup-like seed capsules and its love for water; thus, our wet climate is possibly why they thrive in my garden. The colour of a hydrangea can indicate soil composition:

• Acidic soil (pH below 5.5) produces blue blooms
• Alkaline soil (pH above 7) results in pink or even red blooms.

This can be furthered by investigating why the pH level is where it is; eg. a decreased pH may be from fallen pine needles as they are naturally acidic. Or if the leaves are light green or yellow, it may indicate not enough nitrogen in the soil (etc.).

Hydrangea leaves contain low levels of cyanide, making them toxic if ingested. While rarely fatal, consuming the leaves can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, and even seizures.

(This picture was taken in the summer of Aug. 2022, in my back yard)

https://fafulflorist.com/blogs/information/understanding-hydrangea-meaning

https://mtnativeplants.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/LC-Philadelphus-lewisii-Lewiss-mock-orange-syringa.pdf

Rhododendron;

The Scotsman George Fraser (1854-1944) was the first influential rhododendron enthusiast in the province, and oversaw the development of Beacon Hill Park before realizing his dream of running his own nursery. Beacon Hill, or ‘Mee-a-can’, holds significance for Indigenous peoples, which has been disregarded by the settler population; a dozen no-longer visible mounds along the hill were said to be the burial ground of Missteemoch or Island people, who were slain by an evil spirit (Human remains were found in the park, and historians believe these belonged to victims of a kind of plague).

History of MARS and British Columbia Rhododendron Societies | Mount Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society

Beacon Hill

Other Photos