Beyond the ordinary
Driftwood and bark
Our symbiotic relationship with nature, and especially with trees means survival and not just for our physical health but increasingly for our mental wellbeing. Trees represent strength, resilience, growth and, crucially, interconnectedness.
Like many artists I am fascinated by moss or lichen covered branches, tree bark and driftwood. The shapes, forms and textures for me become reflections of self, reminders of favourite objects, strange landforms or seascapes My imagination begins to flow and I just keep looking. Often it's not until I step away from my drawing that I see what it is becoming........
Driftwood - Mask
This driftwood spoke to me of a human face. The shapes and textures suggested traces of an ancient being, connected with the rhythms of the world, surviving a long battle against life’s challenges.
The features of the face are hard to read, thoughts and feelings appear masked – a defence against the world, maybe.
Tree bark acts very much like human skin. It holds and releases moisture and protects from pests and pathogens.
Bark I Stretching and Bark II Moving
This piece of bark suggested the shape and form of the human torso: the torso or trunk is the core of the human body. It holds all vital organs.
The shapes and forms I discovered within the bark convey ideas and meaning, now that we understand the profound impact our thoughts and emotions can have on the well-being of our human bodies.
The two drawings conveyed different ideas - one torso I saw was stretching upward while the other reaching out.
Stretching upward implies straightening from a stooped position perhaps to reach for something higher than ourselves. Moving forward implies a desire for changing ourselves .
