I regularly find myself moving around a tree, into an opening or to the edge of the window to catch a glimpse of the hillside. Recently I discover I can see a sliver of the hillside while resting on the sofa in the study, it is my new favourite place to sit when the house is quiet during the day. I am not sure when my love of hills began, it may have been while watching the opening credits to Little House On The Prairie as a child. Perhaps it was the steep hill in the ravine steps from the house where I grew up and the hill that I tobogganed, road my bike, roller skated and walked the dog down almost everyday.
Looking at the hillside I find myself in awe, the same way I find myself moved watching the open scene of Little House On The Prairie. You may know the scene, when the horse and buggy rides in the shot along the top of the hillside before the title comes onto screen, surprisingly my view of the hillside is almost identical. I love to spend my time looking over at the hillside.
In particular I frequently glance over at the hill to check if the cows are grazing. The cows became my fast friends, although they are only round forms from my viewpoint they are always lovely to observe moving along the hillside grazing and sometimes lying down to bask in the sun. I certainly can hear them very well in all seasons from this old farm house, there is one who is regularly bellowing for his supper at five o’clock, this always puts a smile on my face. I am looking forward to seeing them on the hillside once they are let out to graze for spring and summer.
Not long after living here, I identified that sun went down behind the hill and this always provided interesting discoveries, including many inspiring moments that have provoked new paintings. Evenings at sundown observing the hill, have become one of my favourite things to do. The hill also provides ideal terrain to catch wind, we have witnessed some strong gale force winds living here, I have plans to measure the wind. I find the wind invigorating as it reminds me that I am alive.
Along the hillside the lone trees and woodlots provide interest for my scanning eye, it took me awhile to memorize the rocks and small shrub, mistaking them for a cow or wildlife in the beginning, I can spend long periods of time scanning the landscape for signs of life. At dusk the deer like to walk their path across the field to the woodlot on the hillside, likely to bed down for the night. I count them as they are spread out in the field, my highest count was fourteen this past winter. The woodlot is also a favourite of the crows that have called it home a top of this hill, often flying over the field to rest in the trees they can be heard quite clearly offering their calls to each other from the hillside.
It wasn’t until autumn that I was able to get a true sense of the landscape on the hillside being able to see through the trees, seeing the formation of land along the hill. I often wonder if I set out on foot how long it would take me to walk over and experience a new perspective of the hillside. And how steep it would be to walk up, I used to love hiking up steep hills when I was younger. I have become very connected the hillside from my distant eye, although I am certain it is my distance that provides an ideal outline of the formations found in the landscape. As winter has passed us now I look forward to spring on the hill and and signs of new life, but most of all my friends, the cows.
Jane Holden 