B. Michele Maynard
I work with two or three concepts.
The first : I have an intense love of the natural world. From the time I was five my dad would take me into the woods or out in his canoe to sit quietly and just look. I save every turtle I can when they wander onto the roads. I watch the birds in my yard every day and I have a lot of them thanks to my garden and feeders. Our family goes to National Parks as often as we can to hike. Running rivers is the best thing on earth. You get the picture. My work celebrates this passion at a time that society seems to be turning its back on the natural environment at its peril.
The second: Sometimes I just can’t be so serious. I have done cartoons and caricatures since 7th grade biology. So when in despair (about the state of concept the first), I have fun. I indulge my love of color and pattern and set up a scenario, bring forth a memory or place I’ve traveled, or vent about life’s absurdities.
The third: I immerse myself in the sheer pleasure of play and create” threadpoems”
