BY LESLIE REGO
We are all familiar with the drawings done by a young child. They are seemingly simplistic, but, in the view of the child, filled with great meaning. A square house with a triangle for a roof symbolizes a home and a hearth. By the same token, a tree with a trunk topped with a rounded form appears seemingly simple, but within that form is a whole complex world apparent to the child. I thought to myself, What if I took a hike with this in mind? I can simplify the shapes I see knowing that within these forms reside complex worlds.
A few afternoons ago, my husband and I hiked to the picnic table in Adams Gulch. As I hiked, I saw the opposing diagonals of the hillsides crisscrossing in front of me. These strong diagonals were bisected with the trunks of the trees. The trees themselves were in strong linear shapes since they had recently lost their leaves. The light also helped; one side of the trail was in deep darks, the other side in late-afternoon light.
The deep darks of the hills created a large triangular shape. There was very little visible information apparent in this shape, since it was in deep shadow, but I knew that the complex world of pine trees resided there. The light side had more observable information. With the extra light, I could see the different grasses and seed heads. In one section, the blades of grass overlapped the dark side, creating streaks of light.
Quickly, I saw the beauty in the big forms. The diagonal lines were striking. The light and dark sides of the mountain were dramatic. I began to be thankful for the big shapes in my life. They are remarkable and spectacular. Intricacy resides within these shapes, which we can unfold bit by bit.
This season, let us be thankful for the big shapes in our life. Let us travel back to our childhood and draw our lives with simplified forms, knowing that within these simple forms lie rich worlds. Let us not complicate our daily existence with unnecessary detail. Let us look for the beauty in both the light and dark areas of our life.
Leslie Rego is an Idaho Press Club award-winning columnist, artist and Blaine County resident. To view more of Rego’s art, visit leslierego.com.