Spirit Of the Northern Lights of Labrador
2012
Black wool stroud, smoke tanned caribou, mixed media
27 x 35 inches

Memorial University, Grenfell Campus Permanent Collection


I was nine or ten years old. I had a quarter. A quarter could buy a coke, bag of chips and the rest in three-for-one cent candies. I was walking home, clutching my bagful of goodies and tantalizing myself with which I should sample first. It was a cold, clear winter's night, breath freezing my hood and eyelashes. The neighbourhood huskies went silent and I grew afraid. Afraid there was a loose husky or something worse roaming the night.

I asked my Guardian Angel to be with me. To protect me and guide me safely home.

And there they were, cascading those sensuous, sinuous, fluid colours, filtering and feeling. Floating colours in the black, star-studded sky. It seems they were seeking someone, something, somewhere or some time.

Candies and huskies were briefly forgotten. I wondered if the Northern Lights, like people, have a Guardian Angel of their own?

With thoughts of Guardian Angels, the stars, my candy, and the gentle wafting of CBC radio, the Northern Lights guided me home.

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