When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

leaves

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Australian White Ibis

Wednesday, October 28th, 2020


 

Australian White Ibis, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Australian White Ibis, Brisbane city Botanic Gardens, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Sunflowers

Monday, October 19th, 2020


 

Sunflowers, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Sunflowers and an abandoned homestead in Nebraska, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb cold pressed watercolor paper.

Overgrown

Monday, October 5th, 2020


 

Overgrown, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper

Overgrown in Denton, TX, this old building is now torn down – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on 90 lb watercolor paper.

Golden Hawaiian Bamboo

Tuesday, September 8th, 2020


 

Golden Hawaiian Bamboo, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Golden Hawaiian Bamboo, Foster Botanical Garden, Honolulu, Hawaii – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Trask River, Tillimook OR

Monday, August 31st, 2020


 

Trask River, Tillimook OR - 18H x 24W inches soft pastel on paper

Trask River, Tillimook OR – 18H x 24W inches soft pastel on paper.  Framed size 27H x 33W inches, white wood frame, crackle finish.

Thunderbird Park Totems

Wednesday, August 19th, 2020


 

Thunderbird Park Totems, Victoria BC, Canada - 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Thunderbird Park Totems, Victoria BC, Canada – 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper, framed size 27H x 33W”.

Fern Song

Tuesday, February 4th, 2020


 

Fern Song, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas

Fern Song, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas

In Full Bloom, Feb. - March 2020, J. Mane Gallery
Honorable Mention, In Full Bloom online exhibition February 7 –  March 7, 2020, J. Mane Gallery

The Angel Oak, South Carolina

Saturday, April 14th, 2018


 

The Angel Oak, John's Island, South Carolina USA

 

This article and set of photos, initially written in 2008 and updated in 2018, honors the tireless efforts to halt construction on John’s Island, South Carolina that would have encroached on an area of land boasting the Oak tree estimated to be 400 to 500 years old. Thanks to conservation and other local groups like schools and churches, individual donors, pro-bono work from lawyers, a sizable grant, and numerous petitions, we are reassured that persistence does make a difference on this planet.  The land surrounding the Angel Oak is no longer in jeopardy. Read more about this amazing tree.


 

The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South CarolinaCharleston, SC is proud of its heritage and respected for its commitment to preserving history in the area, and after many years, residents were finally victorious over plans that would have cut down nearby trees and forest in favor of land development.
The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South CarolinaIn one 2008 online petition there were hundreds of pages of interesting comments and pleas from residents who have fond memories of climbing the branches as children, plus exclamations written by tourists – national and international – who have visited the area specifically to see the Angel Oak. The tree is so significant to locals, a nearby elementary school carries its name. Picnics, weddings and reunions are held in the Angel Oak Park, including an annual summer Arts event, “Evening under Angel Oak” featuring live music, drama and other activities.
The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South CarolinaDuring August, 2008 my husband and I drove through South Carolina and took a short detour to John’s Island. We drove through wicked rains at the edge of  Tropical storm Faye, so when we arrived at Angel Oak Park no one else was there. Although the light was not ideal, fortunately rain subsided long enough to take photos.
This is one impressive tree! The trunk and lower branches are so immense, they have been propped up with stakes and heavy cables here and there, which is a little intrusive when taking photos, but obviously necessary. Growth is spread outward more than upward. No wonder it is considered sacred by the locals… there is an appreciable presence felt while standing silently under its canopy, which apparently occupies 2,000 yards of space above.


The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South Carolina


The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South CarolinaIt occurred to me that this tree has lived through one serious chunk of history, and I wondered what was happening on our planet when it was knee-high to an acorn? The Angel Oak’s parent-tree and surrounding forest flourishes for eons before one special acorn falls from one of the magnificent Oaks on the southeastern shores of a land only known to the indigenous peoples then. The acorn sprouts along with many others, but this one will outlive the rest, seasoning hurricanes, climate changes, human encroachment and wars.
The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South CarolinaMuch of what we are familiar with; our collective modern identity has been shaped by the events and people who lived and died since the Angel Oak established its first roots in the earth. If trees could talk…!
The Angel Oak does not exist on its own. It depends on the surrounding forest, so any deliberate disturbance in the immediate soil or neighboring properties would disrupt its far-reaching and delicate root system. Thankfully, now the tree will remain host to a myriad of life forms, supporting an abundant, specialized ecosystem of mosses, fungi and fern varieties, insects and amphibians – hopefully for five hundred more years. The Angel oak lives on as one of the true jewels on this planet.


The Angel Oak, St. John Island, South Carolina



While older, poorer quality photos are still gradually being replaced, the Majesty of Trees / Dancing with Trees exhibition website is now updated. Check it out!

First Snow 02

Saturday, June 3rd, 2017


 

First Snow 02, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas

First Snow 02, 12 x 12 inches acrylics on canvas

Entry for The Square Foot Show in Bismark, ND on August 1st – 25th, 2017

 Sold, but a similar one can be created upon request. Please allow 7 days to paint before shipping.

Fern Gestures

Wednesday, March 1st, 2017


 

Fern Gestures, 14 x 20 inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed

Fern Gestures, 14H x 20W inches watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed. 20H x 26W inches white mat, white wood frame with crackle finish.

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