Wet Carolinian Forest in December

by Phil Chadwick

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Dimensions

7.000 x 5.000 x 0.250 inches

Title

Wet Carolinian Forest in December

Artist

Phil Chadwick

Medium

Painting - Oil On Canvas

Description

I feel that the northern edge of the Carolinian deciduous forest reaches north of Singleton but not by much. It is therauputic to just walk through the woods named after the Carolina states. Some call that "forest bathing" - a process of relaxation; known in Japan as shinrin yoku. There are even Forest Bathing Clubs - see https://www.forestbathing.club/.

Carolinian Canada is a unique ecosystem zone found in southern Ontario and especially effective for destressing the effects of the industrial society. The Carolinian zone in Canada is extremely rich in both plant and animal species - especially that found in the Frontennac Arch Biosphere.

The accompanying map shows the extent of the Carolinian Forest in Southern Ontario in 2007. Another investigation in 2016 stated that less than 15 percent of it remains in scattered stands across southern Ontario. Climate change will extend the possible range of the Carolinian zone northward and past Singleton but it is unclear if ongoing development will be allowed to continue to decimate the Carolinian Ecosystem.

An examination of the species within the Singleton Sanctuary finds most if not all of the species found in the typical Carolinian zone - black walnut, shagbark hickory (along with various other hickory species), black maple, Chinkapin oak (along with various other oak species) and a host of others. (https://caroliniancanada.ca/legacy/SpeciesHabitats_ForestsFlora.htm) Technically, Singleton Lake is not within the Carolinian zone according to the map but judging from the species present, the map needs to be revised. The Carolina forest hardwoods have cloaked the slope with a smattering of pines, cedars and hemlock mixed in.

If I had painted outside on Monday December 11th, I would have gotten very, very wet and cold. Forest bathing had to be achieved by simply looking out the Studio window. The colours were brilliant but somewhat subdued by the heavy rain. I don't classify these as plein air works as I was not out painting in the elements. Instead, I was inside with the wood stove crackling away and the tunes on in the background. I still play CDs and have a very eclectic collection. I am very old school but that is OK.

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December 28th, 2023

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