Gallery Showcase Archives
February 15 - March 12
The Forest Friends
Maia Heissler - Frankford
The Forest Friends are elfin creatures that dwell in Ontario woodlands. They strive to live in Harmony with the Earth, with the Others, and among themselves. This has been the basis for their survival since ancient times, and emerged out of the recognition that all the life forms of the earth depend on each other. Human progress now threatens them with extinction and these Keepers of the Woodlands would be sorely missed.
The Forest Friend dioramas capture moments from the lives of these little people. Constructed around roots and knotholes, vines and hollow stumps, they incorporate everything from snail shells and birch bark to stones and edible wild plants. A diorama may have as few as one character -- or as many as thirty-five. Some scenes are light-hearted, others serious and all have universal appeal.
Many dioramas end up as keepsake gifts to mark a special occasion, such as a significant birthday or anniversary, the birth of a child, retirement, a period of difficult changes, etc.
About Maia Heissler
Maia's life went from early immigration to Canada to rural upbringing to formal education in languages and education to three years of development aid work in Africa. Then, after some years of a "regular" career, motherhood proved to be a dramatic turning point. For this stay-at-home mom, the child-rearing years were intensely creative ones. Much of earlier dabbling in art and crafts found new expression. Combined with a fascination for folktales, concern for the environment and a love of the woodlands, this eventually led to the Forest Friends and the establishment of the business, "Down-To-Earth Creations".
Along with her writer-actor-artist husband and three sons, Maia makes her home in the beautiful countryside of the Murray hills near Frankford in south-eastern Ontario.
