I was working on this piece off and off this spring and actually finished it in late April. I had brought in two piece of live edge wood into my studio sometime last fall to work on and they sat in a corner for a few months before I attempted to do anything with them. I really am happy how this evolved. It took some time, but luckily I had other pieces going on at the same time, so this piece was allowed to come into being slowly.
I believe this piece of wood slab is from an Olive tree. I had written it down so I could remember….but I misplaced the note. It is somewhere in my studio. If I find it and I’m wrong, I will update. I love this piece as it still has bark attached to it and tiny bits of moss!
This year I often have been adding marks to my mixed media pieces that indicate tree rings. Last year (or was it the year before?) was when I delved into a series about root systems. They weren’t exactly root systems, but thinking about the reciprocal nature of things. Both are things that lay below the surface. Things that aren’t evident, but are so essential. I love flowers, they are beautiful and ephemeral. But really, I see so much beauty in the root systems, even when the dirt is still clinging to the threads.
“It is in the roots, not the branches, that a tree’s greatest strength lies.”- Matshona Dhliwayo.
I have not been posting here very much, but actually have been creating. Time is limited and I have to choose- make stuff or write about it. Easy choice. But actually, the writing is such an important part of my process. So hopefully I can catch up slowly.