GAVIA IMMER

The Common Loon is an iconic Northwoods waterfowl and a prodigious diver. Revered for their beautiful calls and primordial behavior, the loons survive with qualities to be admired: loyalty, patience, commitment, and beauty. The motif in this piece represents the yodel call of the male loon. The middle section represents the many dives where the loons are on the hunt for a well-deserved meal.

RESPITE

The Northwoods, a haven for rest and restoration, peace and tranquility, nature and nurture, discovery and experience. Often referred to as “God’s Country,” those who are drawn to the hearty elements of the Northwoods understand.

QUIESCENCE

Quiescence. A state of rest. We wish we could keep those most memorable, even sacred, moments with us always. Yet we don’t, and perhaps we can’t. That is why quiescence is an ideal state of mind, a beacon that guides us through whatever waters we may face.

TWO WOLVES

The alpha male and female gray wolf signal with their haunting howls that a hunt is about to commence. It’s an eerie yet beautiful duet. With their steady strength, they lead the pack as they sprint off through the pines. The intensity of their quest creates a thunder of sound beneath their paws. Celebratory howls arise from the pack after the success of their hunt, followed by the quiet of rest and satisfaction.

MY ROCK

A lone seagull has claimed a boulder rising out of the water. It is his perch from which he takes flight and to which he returns after fishing. It is his resting place, his anchor, his rock. Not unlike the seagull, we each have our favored way and place of how and where we land. When all is said and done, the Truth is our ground. Our Rock.

DAWN

With fog hovering over the lake, a cool morning mist is in the air and the sun rises. A fresh beginning. Yet, we are not the only ones welcoming a new day. The creatures offer a symphony of sounds that only the Divine could compose. A new day awaits all the living.

CURT

Curt is the epitome of a Northwoods man: a true gentleman, a trusted friend, and capable of fixing just about anything. Always willing to lend a hand, he simply makes things work. Most afternoons, the neighbors roll up to Curt’s garage for a visit . . . and hilarity ensues. How fortunate we all would be to have a “Curt” in our lives.

RAINDANCE

A single drop, then another. The rhythm of the rain calms our spirit and invokes a oneness with nature. A clap of thunder, then a jagged line of light. Here is the dance of nature’s elements— a perfectly choreographed moment. It comes to an end with one final drop. Then silence.

SUNSHINE

Based on the classic, “You Are My Sunshine,” Julie's rendition explores the richly entwined emotions of a romantic relationship. So memorable are the lyrics, even in their absence one cannot help but “hear” them and feel their heartfelt plaint.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.
You make me happy, when skies are gray.
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you.
Please don’t take my sunshine away.”
© By Jimmie Davis

Surely this song resonates so universally because it is in our nature to long for the warmth and light of love: Sunshine. Yet, in the shadow of love’s light is vulnerability to love lost and tenebrous darkness. Still, in our hope, we seek it. These dramatic tensions are explored harmonically through major and minor tonalities, attempting to express this most poignant and ineffable of human experiences.

OLD COYOTE

Old Coyote senses his time here is nearly up. Before passage to the spirit world, he reminisces of his days and nights in the woodlands. Ready, he curls up next to his favorite large rock. His coyote spirit leaves his tired body and ascends. Now, peace.

THE WIND

The Wind is a reflection on abiding love, a musical metaphor of this journey. The wind flows through the trees and grasses, stirs up the surface of the water and dusts up the ground. It gives refreshment in the heat of the summer but can be cutting cold in the winter. Wind, like love, is a wild force with a mind of its own. While unseen, the wind’s effects are felt as it wills its way forward.

HOMAGE

Whether a grand tribute or a subtle nod, we cannot help but give homage to the majestic splendor of the Northwoods. With dense pine forests, waterfalls, lakes and awe-inspiring wildlife, the Northwoods is heaven on earth. The great Designer has rendered a special masterpiece in this wondrous place. Perfection.