I honestly had no idea what I would write about this week. Nothing seemed to jump out at me and nothing out of the ordinary happened, no holidays or special occasions. So I had to do some thinking. What is that's been interesting me? What am I drawn to when I sketch?
The answer didn't jump out at me either. It was slow in coming. Maybe that speaks to the subject matter, too. For some time now I've found myself looking at trees. The snow covered birds nests, lodged securely in bare branches. Bright red berries still clinging to the branches and providing rare winter color. The complex patterns of the branches. Texture of bark. Stark landscapes.
Now I'm eager to get out and find some of my favorite tress, visit them before they even start thinking about leaves. Yes, I have favorite trees! There is a large white tree with maple shaped leaves bigger than my hand. Is it a sycamore? It grows down near one of our small lakes. I discovered it when I worked in the neighborhood and would go exploring in the woods on my lunch hour.
The answer didn't jump out at me either. It was slow in coming. Maybe that speaks to the subject matter, too. For some time now I've found myself looking at trees. The snow covered birds nests, lodged securely in bare branches. Bright red berries still clinging to the branches and providing rare winter color. The complex patterns of the branches. Texture of bark. Stark landscapes.
Now I'm eager to get out and find some of my favorite tress, visit them before they even start thinking about leaves. Yes, I have favorite trees! There is a large white tree with maple shaped leaves bigger than my hand. Is it a sycamore? It grows down near one of our small lakes. I discovered it when I worked in the neighborhood and would go exploring in the woods on my lunch hour.
Not far from this tree is another one I always stop and visit. It's tucked in close to the shore in ground that always seems at least a little damp and is sometimes downright muddy. I'm always overwhelmed by its size. It's a huge multi-trunked tree that's full of crevices and secret places. Unlike the white tree, whose branches reach outward, this one soars up to the sky.
It's hard to believe I've never tried to draw or paint these guys. I think that experiencing them, being there in the moment to appreciate them has been enough, but maybe it's time to see if I can capture any of their spirit on paper.
It's hard to believe I've never tried to draw or paint these guys. I think that experiencing them, being there in the moment to appreciate them has been enough, but maybe it's time to see if I can capture any of their spirit on paper.
While I don't have many images of these treasured trees, I do have some photos and drawings of others that I've seen along the way.
It's time too, to take a short drive north and look for the bald eagles. Maybe that is the real value of this blog, in making me think. Think about what I value around me and how my surroundings affect me. I have to pause at least once each week. It isn't always easy, but so far it's always been good.
RSS Feed
