Blog

Reprieve

This is a recent study that I did of an old oak tree at Barnett Ranch. I have painted it several times over the past few years. It has been in decline for a long time, perhaps due to age, more likely a result drought. This year's generous rains have granted a reprieve; right now it is flourishing.

At one time I would not have considered it a good subject for painting, it has an awkward shape; and the dead branches, to be honest, are depressing. The story that I have seen unfold over time though, has given me a new perspective.

Inspired by the tree's story and what I have learned from studying nineteenth century landscapes, I set my contemporary point of view aside and tried an old fashioned perspective; romantic and picturesque. In the old tree I found a story about fortitude, constancy, and reprieve.

I continue to be fascinated by the challenge of drawing and painting tree forms. Below is another tree study in graphite that I did for a commission painting a few months ago.