I am an artist and documentarian working in pencil, pastel, and film to convey my love of people and the planet. Please subscribe to my irregular email.
The Art of Tributaries and Tributes
|
Live happily, you're worth it. Rivers of Inspiration June is National Rivers Month, a time to celebrate the waterways that sustain life and connect us to the natural world. It’s the perfect season to enjoy a river, whether by hiking, paddling, birding, or making art along its banks. I’m lucky to live near three rivers: the Squannacook, the Nissitissit, and the Nashua, all part of the vibrant Nashua River watershed. These rivers, along with others I’ve traveled, have fed my soul and inspired my work. Here are two of my river-inspired soft pastel studies. See more on my Instagram account! An Artistic Tribute to the Nashua River — and Its Champion A new series of murals titled the "History of the Nashua River" was recently unveiled in Railroad Square, Pepperell, MA. Led by the Pepperell, MA Cultural Council, this community-driven project brought together local artists and residents to celebrate the river’s legacy. The seven murals now grace the Nashua River Rail Trail, offering a vibrant, educational backdrop for walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers. The unveiling kicked off a weekend of volunteer docent-led talks about the history of the Nashua River and the mural project. At the heart of the mural is a tribute to Marion Stoddart, whose tireless work to restore and protect the Nashua and its tributaries began in 1962. Marion remains a powerful advocate for the creation of a continuous Greenway along the river, and her vision continues to inspire generations. Those who wish to support this ongoing effort can contribute to the Marion Stoddart Greenway Fund. The murals will be on view for years, but there’s no better time than National Rivers Month to take a stroll or ride along the trail to experience them. Words of Wisdom “What I wanted to do was to make a difference in the world — which is what we all want to do and can do. The secret to making a difference is caring, to discover for ourselves what matters most, then creating a vision of what we want to have happen, and committing fully to that vision.” — Marion Stoddart To learn more about Marion Stoddart and her pivotal role in the cleanup of the Nashua River, you can watch my 30-minute documentary, Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000. It's currently available to you for home viewing with family and friends, for free, at this link. Stay in touch with me on Instagram and LinkedIn! Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think might like it. Thanks for reading! All the best, If you like this email, please tell your friends to subscribe to this irregular publication :-) |
Susan Adele Edwards
I am an artist and documentarian working in pencil, pastel, and film to convey my love of people and the planet. Please subscribe to my irregular email.
Live happily, you're worth it. From Porch to Print — Weaving Pen, Ink, and Imagination I often draw in pen and ink while sitting on my front porch (or wherever inspiration strikes :-) — sometimes with a little creature stopping by to keep me company. Once the drawings are done, I digitize them along with textures I’ve collected, like netting or lace. From there, I start composing digitally — layering, rearranging, and sometimes altering the drawings by adding or removing elements, like I did...
Live happily, you're worth it. Come to the Exhibit Closing Reception: Saturday, 4/26! "Journey to the Rhizosphere" has been going strong since April 1st at the Harris Center for Conservation Education; staff say visitors of all ages have been loving it! Join us for the closing reception on Saturday, April 26th, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM for a drop-in, sensory-filled celebration of soil life, art, and community. Here’s what’s in store: Make a miniature microbe mobile! Bioelectric underground signals...
Live happily, you're worth it. Thoreau’s Journals: Discovering Nature Through Drawing "Birch Bark"Illustration by Susan Edwards An invitation to lead a drawing class at Thoreau Farm’s upcoming Lichen Day (April 6) aroused my curiosity: “Did Henry David Thoreau sketch?” Indeed, he did! About 13 years into his journal writing, he began regularly illustrating his entries with pencil drawings. It’s likely he used pencils crafted in his family’s own factory, carrying them on his daily...