Quilts in the Snow

Winter around the corner

I am so glad that the humidity has lifted a bit and that my home is drying out. I was beginning to worry about what the moisture might be damaging. Recently art teacher Kal Elmore forwarded me an email that had these incredible photos of quilt images in the snow that were made by artist Simon Beck! And, I began to think about cooler weather and a smile came across my face because that means snow is not far away. I know some of you (who don’t love the snow) are thinking I am crazy. The fact is that I love all seasons especially when I can spend time outdoors!

I wouldn’t mind visiting the frozen lakes of Savoie, France where Mr. Beck spends days plodding through the snow in raquettes(snowshoes), creating these sensational patterns of snow art. He works 5-9 hours a day, each final piece is typically the size of three soccer fields ! Imagine??!! The geometric forms range in mathematical patterns and shapes that create stunning, sometimes 3D, designs when viewed from higher levels.

Of course the weather impacts the length of time his geometric forms last. This reminds me of the street artist who paint the roads and sidewalks in parts of Europe (especially Italy) with chalk. Beck designs and redesigns the patterns as new snow falls, sometimes unable to finish a piece due to significant overnight accumulations.
Mr. Beck said, ‘The main reason for making them was because I can no longer run properly due to problems with my feet, so plodding about on level snow is the least painful way of getting exercise. Gradually, the reason has become photographing them, and I am considering buying a better camera.”

Anyone interested in a field trip to Savoie?