elainefogelart

I started using Meta’s Threads early on, wondering if I’d find value from it. Well, I haven’t gained much traction for my own posts yet, but I did discover some amazing photography.

One photographer blew me away with her images: Katrina Thompson Photography of Nova Scotia, Canada. I’ve been to that the province three times, first when I was 16 to work at a summer camp in Lunenburg; next on my honeymoon; and later with kids in tow on a motorhome trip. Each time, its beauty took my breath away. 

The photo that inspired this painting focuses on a white wild rose.

Ranging in colour from white to deep pink, wild roses exude a delicately sweet scent, and are blessed with an important survival strategy—an armour of thorns, so guard your nose when tempted to sniff! 
https://www.saltscapes.com/home-cottage/264-rambling-rose.html

According to the website, there are about a dozen different species growing in wild abandon in fields, sparse woodlands, mossy swamps, wet thickets, bogs, marshes, and salt-splashed seashores in Nova Scotia. Four of these—Rosa carolina, Rosa palustris, Rosa nitida, and Rosa virginiana—are true native species. Evidence suggests that the Acadians, New England Planters, English, Scottish, and United Empire Loyalists brought roses from their homelands and planted them in versatile kitchen gardens.

Like everything else a century or two ago, the roses were put to good use. Not only were they beautiful and fragrant, the petals and foliage were edible. In fall, the brilliant red hips, so rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene and vitamins E, B and K, were used to flavour tea, make jellies and jam. They were also eaten right off the bush or dried for winter, to ward off scurvy and other ailments.

Thanks to Katrina for giving me permission to paint her photo!