As an artist inspiration and vision are important, but only a very small part of the process of creating impactful artworks. When symbolism and interpretation starts to work into an artist's work the fun begins for both the artist and the collector. Growing past creating with realism as a goal and moving into a place of story telling and narration moves an artist's work into a deeper place. You don't have to go to many major worldwide art museums to realize that artists narrate the world around them through their work, no matter the medium they choose. Enduring, memorable and impactful artwork has a powerful message behind it. For me, symbolism runs heavily through my work. Queen Of The Woods and Keeper of Secrets have become powerful messages from nature that the world needs to recognize and act upon.
Growing up my sister and I were always great lovers and climbers of trees. We called our favorite climbing trees “wishing trees” and when it came time for our father to cut firewood we would tell him that he could not cut those trees.
Being immersed in nature both as a child and an adult has made me acutely aware of the impact that we humans have on our natural environment and particularly on the giant maple trees. I noticed that the maples were weakened, dying or damaged all up and down my road and began to do some research into why it was happening. I went so far as to consult with retired biologists who have studied all plants extensively. Those minds who study and know confirmed my early computer findings of various causes of maple death including the impact of natural verticillium wilt in the soil becoming active, salt on the roads, and compaction of the soil around the roots by humans. They also reminded me that trees do have life spans and some of the maple death was due to age as well. They also showed me the beech trees towards the back of my property that were dying and how you can see it in their leaves. They also shared that there is a problem with oak wilt starting to come into the county. That will no doubt show up in my future work.
While Queen Of The Woods shows the majesty of the maple as well as the wildlife who make their homes in them, Keeper of Secrets uses Queen Of The Woods along with symbolism to spread the message about the perils affecting her. It invites the viewer to look closer and learn about what is happening to nature around us. Can you spot the symbols in my work?
In my lifetime chestnuts, elms, ash, hemlocks, and now beech trees are under stress or gone. To add maples to the list makes me wonder just how our hardwood forests will look in the future. Part of my hope is always to practice good stewardship and leave the earth better than I found it! Ask me the back stories on my individual pieces, I love to share my vision!
