Jennifer Pereira Art

As Winter Approaches….

Reflecting on the year that is nearing its end is always something that seems to happen around this time. This time of reflection is usually  triggered, for me anyway, by the first snow which we received about a week ago. Lately my thoughts have been transported to my time on Bear Island, On. where I taught an elementary class. I consider myself beyond thankful for the experiences my family was able to live. My wife especially was blessed with amazing experiences with the surrounding wilderness. Often heading out in the winter by snowmobile to photograph her experiences. One particular encounter she had while snowmobiling, was an impromptu run-in with a red fox. 

It was the day after a significant snowfall, (Below:Snowmobile after snowfall) over 30cm of snow if I recall, while navigating through the intertwined islands in the hub of Lake Temagami that she fell upon a red fox trotting along the porch of a “winterized” cottage. 

For those not familiar with the word “winterized”, it involves preparing a building that will be without heat during the winter months, usually involving boarding up doors and windows, removing all food, securely storing blankets and clothes and adding antifreeze to the plumbing. 

The small red fox moved along the porch and took note of my wife who was now stopped on the lake still on her snowmobile, helmet off and camera in hand some 50m away. The fox was not the least bit worried about her presence and moved towards a group of Jack-pine trees that sprung off from a snowy rock-face. As the fox arrived at the trees, it sat for a moment, looking SE towards High Rock Island, occasionally raising its nose to the wind. Then, without any care to her presence, stood up, spun all the way around and layed down under the Jack-pine while placing its tail over its snout just as my husky named Winter would. (Below: The one and only, Temagami Nomad) It’s funny how these small moments that usually go unnoticed or even disregarded are sometimes the memories that stick with us throughout our lives. A lesson in appreciation for the little moments in life came from this story. In such a fast paced world of instant gratification, take pause to the little slices of life as they are often the quality moments that stay with us throughout our time on this planet.

My wife’s recount of her unplanned meeting with this beautiful red fox was the inspiration for my painting titled “Temagami Nomad”. May that beautiful Temagami fox live on in painting form in all of its glory and beauty. (Below: Original painting titled Temagami Nomad available for purchase)

The original painting for Temagami Nomad is still available for purchase. It can be viewed and purchased in person at Living Temagami Arts and Culture located in Temagami Ontario Canada or through me online via email jennpereiraart@gmail.com

Have a wonderful day…

Jenn.