Ring of Bright Chestnuts

This beautiful setting is Vanier Park in Vancouver. I discovered these wondrous

chestnut trees a year ago, just as the winter weather was arriving. I returned this year intent

on creating a piece with the chestnuts and the spiky outer shells. This tree is situated

right outside the planetarium (see link above) on a hill overlooking English Bay.

When I began, I envisioned a more involved design than this. I began raking the shells

and leaves, and realized because of the dampness, there was not enough contrast in color

to make a pronounced line. There was also not enough "material" to work with. I continued

raking for 3 hours, and gathered all the nuts. While clearing the inner circle, I found

a well within the roots. (for trees and wells).

As I was trying to decide what to do next, a large group of 4 year old children arrived

and circled up on the grass right near the chestnut circle.  The perfect infusion!

I asked one of the class leaders if it would be possible when they were done, to have them

gather around the circle so that I could take a photo. Several moms didn't want their children

photographed, so that nixed that idea. One teacher did lead the children in a chase thru the

park, winding them thru the circle.  Pixies galore dancing thru the ring!!

For a brief moment, their awareness of the ancient tree was altered. Some even

saw the "doorway". One elderly woman commented that it looked like I was about