Cabin Fever

I’ve noticed lately, that over the years, I have collected a fair amount of natural bits and pieces in my studio.  I have seeds, rocks, coral fragments, branches and driftwood on walls and tucked in corners.  These are my favorite things that I have collected on holiday, walks in the woods, walks through he city or that have been gifted to me.  I have come to the conclusion that I have all of these treasures to help me cope with living in the city.  Really, if I could live anywhere, it would be in a cabin, by a lake, in or near the woods.

Dad cut and collected the hornets nest on a walk to Cole Lake at least 5-6 years ago.  

The Birch bark is also from Dad and was given to me this winter during my last visit.  It was rolled so tightly onto itself.  I steamed it in the shower and unfurled it, screwing it to the wall to dry.  That’s where it lives now.

Building my cabin started off last February, as a casual conversation over tea.  I was sharing a daydream with my friend Karen about the empty lot behind my studio building.  I wanted to ignore the fact that the land wasn’t mine and just build a bunch of little cabins, huts and such back there.  It was a perfect spot in the city.  The lot was primarily a gravel yard with some trees and lots of wild flowers.  A place for neighbours to take their dogs for a nice play.  With no throughway to busy streets, the only access was through our parking lot. 

During our chat I was also thinking about my parent’s spot at the lake and how I wished it was closer.  The eight hour drive up there seemed a bit much when considering building something.  Even though I love there, and could build without permit, when would I find the time and the means to get there.  After a few minutes of rambling, I realized  what I wanted was doable, and if mum and dad would allow me to impose, I’d be nuts not to build.

The cabin is built and I’ve spent around seven weeks there so far.  It was such a great project and can’t wait to get back there.  I truly love it there.

The lot, which first got me thinking about all of this, has since been turned into a parking lot.  It was pretty sad to watch what little trees and flowers that were be ripped out or flattened.

All of this leads to a new project.  I am going back to an early idea which is to build a small collapsible building.  Think Ice Hut!  It will likely be a simple design that can fit into a parking space and act as an outdoor studio of sorts.  I figure, if people can rent a space for a container or dumpster, why can’t I for a little cabin.

I have a million images floating through my head and will start planning and posting soon.  Hopefully by the end of April I’ll have some kind of structure up. 

Leo and Judd in the back lot.