One of my few surviving drawings of trees from first and second grade
My fascination with trees and wood dates from early childhood, when I would spend hours staring at trees in different seasons and trying to draw them as accurately as I was able, carefully mapping every branch, leaf or blossom. I remember getting lost in the process, losing track of the actual tree in front of me and having to make up branching patterns, overwhelmed at the endless variety of mature, deciduous trees like white oak. ??????? ??? ??? I remember thinking how my decisions to make new branches looked a lot like the tree’s ‘decisions’, which got me thinking about whether or not trees had consciousness. I’m still not sure about this, but try my best to think about the shape of the tree when working with its wood, making decisions with which I know the tree would agree.
A giant eucalyptus I discovered on an island near the mouth of the Russian River
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Great piece on trees ! Really enjoyed seeing your drawing – I think I have a few more in the desk drawer!