The Naturalist

The years during which Jackie grew up were split between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Even at a young age she showed the beginnings of the naturalist, with an intense love for nature, often bringing home something she had caught in the nearby woods.
That love for nature never faded often leading her into the forests, down twisting streams and along rocky shorelines. On one occasion she has sat motionless on the forest floor as a curious deer walked up to sniff her ...

Observing moose in the Gaspesie, Quebec

... On another occasion she has stood at dusk at the forest's edge calling until a great horned owl landed in the pine next to her and peered down.
Whether it be an industrious little skunk wandering the forest floor or a majestic moose grazing on a river's edge, Jackie loves to observe nature in action.

Her deep appreciation for wildlife and nature  has molded the naturalist in her... "These beautiful creatures will not be here to enjoy if we do not find a balance in our need for development and the preservation of their habitat."
"Recognizing that humanity's desire to modify our environment needs to be balanced with our stewardship of this planet is essential if the human race is to survive. As stewards of the land we need to remember that we share the land with all nature's creatures."
"In every human being there is a love for nature - Why else does almost every backyard have a bird feeder? We've just gotten out of touch with our environment - That's one thing I hope to accomplish with my painting - To remind people of the beauty of the wild and to encourage them to preserve it."

Bighorn sheep in sage growth on a Montana mountainside