"Soul Of The Twig Eater"

A friend of mine on the Art Scuttlebutt online site is a photographer- one who concentrates on detail such as a fissure in cement, or a drop of water on a leaf. She had a photograph of a piece of driftwood that she had titled "Moose" because of the obvious antler-like shapes. I asked if I could draw it. I didn't want to use the same name, but I discovered that in the Algonquin Indian language, "moose" means "twig eater". No human inhabitants of the earth have had greater respect for the natural world than the Native Americans. Every plant, every animal, every stone has spiritual significance that carries on beyond its days on Earth. Thus, the skeletal resemblance of the driftwood turned into the "soul" of the Twig Eater.

There was a customer one day, however, who thought it looked exactly like a horse. Go figure.

Original, Limited Edition Giclee Reproductions, and notecards available**

"If Trees Could Weep"

The weeping beech is truly a tree, and one with the unusual ability to multiply its weeping form rapidly by forming a new weeping beech wherever its branches touch the ground. Unfortunately, most trees do not possess this ability to replant. The world's forests need to be seen for what they are- giant global utilities, providing essential public services to humanity. They store carbon, which is lost to the atmosphere when they burn, increasing global warming. The life they support cleans the atmosphere of pollutants and feeds it with moisture. They act as a natural thermostat, helping to regulate our climate and sustain the lives of 1.4 billion of the poorest people on this earth. They do these things to a degree that is all but impossible for us to imagine. Currently, 32 million acres of forestland are lost each year, and only a fraction of that is replanted. If I were a tree, I would not be weeping, I would be screaming.

(But, just for the record, one woman looked a this tree and thought it was absolutely wonderful that my tree was laughing)

ORIGINAL SOLD- limited edition Giclee reproductions and notecards available**

"Family Tree"

Family Tree is, quite simply, my family tree: my husband Steve, who has supported my art for over 25 years, even when it cost money instead of making it; my daughters, my lovely chicas, Rebecca and Laura, who live in Colorado but who call me all the time and continue to make me feel a part of their lives in spite of distance, and my wonderful son, Matt, who calls every weekend from Wyoming, and shares his mountainous adventures. Their roots sustain me, their arms enfold me, their presence brings me joy. Quite simply, they are my life.

11 x 14" ink/mixed media

ORIGINAL SOLD- Limited Edition Giclee reproductions and notecards available**

Will also do commissioned family trees- this tree with as many family members as you like- age, sex, and hair color are all that's needed-( the people are only 3/4" tall) Contact me via email for price, etc.

"Don't Look! Hot Babe at 2 O'Clock!"

Anyone who's ever been on a beach with a bunch of guys, young or old, has experienced the whisper at an approaching bikini-clad babe "Hey, check that out", "Whoa, look what's coming our way" or, in this case, "Don't look! Hot babe at 2 o'clock!" The sentiment is the same whether man or wood. Stand still and try not to stare. It's the testosterone of trees.

Original, Limited Edition Giclee Reproductions, and notecards available**

"The Dingleberry Tree"

This tree is dedicated to Mel. The screensaver pictures of my trees are on my desktop at work and are of great interest to her. One day she called me to tell me that she had taken a picture of "the coolest tree ever" and she wanted me to draw it because it was covered with bulging deformities that she called "dingleberries". When you work in a veterinary clinic full of sick animals, a dingleberry has only one meaning, and it's exactly what you think it is- not a nice thing to have. In truth, this poor oak is covered with the results of a disease that cause the limbs and branches to develop hundreds of rough black knots. In the right light, such deformities become interesting and different, even beautiful, earning it the distinctive title "The Dingleberry Tree".

Original, Limited Edition Giclee Reproductions, and notecards available**

"A Day On The Beech"

Growing up in Maine I have a thousand memories of days spent playing, walking, and dreaming on beaches. I have a thousand more memories of climbing, playing, and dreaming in trees. A Day On The Beach is the best of both worlds. I will always walk beaches, and I will always climb trees.

Cree Prophecy

"Only after the last tree has been cut down, the last river has been poisoned, and the last fish has been caught, only then will we realize we cannot eat money" - Cree Prophecy

Original, Limited Edition Giclee Reproductions, and notecards available**

"Concerned Mother"

Lying on the ground looking up gives one a totally different perspective on trees. They look much taller for one, and this pine had a distinct mouth pursed in my general direction, and one dark hole of an eye looking down upon me. Add a crooked arm-branch on the left side and it took little imagination for me to see a parent peering in a concerned fashion at her child. Add a second arm and it's the proverbial "hands on hips" pose that most of us know well from some time in our present or past.
This tree has the distinction of being the first giclee in a limited edition to sell. I sold it to the mother of 3 teenagers who looked at my title and immediately said, "that's me!". This exclamation confirmed my belief that trees often have human features and we, as humans, have a definate spiritual connection to their existence.

Original, Limited Edition Giclee Reproductions, and notecards available

"The Origin Of Ninjas"

Just before Christmas my daughter Laura accidentally locked herself out of her room. No indoor house keys were to be found. After exhausting the conventional methods of screwdriver, credit card, and bobby pin, she and her sister decided to "ninja kick" the door down, like in the movies. They donned "ninja" headgear and videotaped themselves in the endeavor. Not surprisingly, their efforts were successful, with no damage to themselves, or to the door. That video clip inspired this painting. To Laura, my Wannabe Ninja.
ORIGINAL SOLD- Limited Edition Giclee' Reproductions and notecards
Available**

"Quit Yer Bitchin'"

"Quit Yer Bitchin"
Legend states that the baobab was among the first trees to appear on the land. Next came the slender, graceful palm tree. When the baobab saw the palm tree, it cried out that it wanted to be taller. Then the beautiful flame tree appeared with its red flower and the baobab was envious for flower blossoms. When the baobab saw the magnificent fig tree, it prayed for fruit as well. The gods became angry with the tree and pulled it up by its roots, then replanted it upside down to keep it quiet.
Baobab trees have remarkable stories associated with them. Rated as ordinary timber, the tree is useless, but the tree is so soft and spongy that nails may be driven into it without hammers, the bark can be harvested without killing the tree, and this bark can be flattened, twisted or woven into clothing, rope, or tiles for your roof. Not only that, but the flowers are edible as salad, the fruit is rich in Vitamin C, and the seeds can be roasted and eaten like black beans. For a poor person living in Africa, Australia, or Madagascar where most of these trees reside, that makes them rich and useful indeed.

ORIGINAL SOLD- No reproductions available**

"Ahhh....Youth"

"Ahhh...Youth"
I saw this knarly old mostly barkless tree hanging precariously over the edge of a banking one day, and I wondered at the time how long it had been hanging and why it didn't uproot altogether. What tenacious roots still clung to the soil and kept it there? It looked like one good wind could knock it down, or one good rainstorm would wash away its anchor.
My husband suggested the rope swing. He said it had the perfect angle for hanging an old twisted rope, to go with it's old twisted form. Each of us has memories of swinging off trees into quarries and ponds, a practice we mostly give up when we get older and are more sensible about our limbs.
I hope I never give up rope swinging, and I hope I have tenacious roots that keep hanging on when I am old, and in danger of falling off the banking.


ORIGINAL SOLD- Limited Edition Giclee' reproductions and notecards available**

"Seven Sisters On A Saturday Night"

The "Pleiades" , or "Seven Sisters" are a prominent constellation in the northern sky in winter. They have been known since antiquity, including mention in the Mayan, Aztec, Sioux, Aborginal, and Persian cultures, as well as in The Iliad and The Odyssey by Homer, and the bible. They are a physically related group of stars that always move in the same direction across the sky, at the same rate. How cool is that.
For me, they are the shining group of stars that face me as I walk out my dark road at 5 am every day of winter. I can always recognize them.
In 1885 Elihu Vedder painted 7 women dancing to represent the Pleiades. Leave it to me to turn them into trees.
Astronomers estimate that the cluster will survive another 250 million years before it disappears into its galactic neighborhood. I'm glad I won't be around to see it.

ORIGINAL SOLD- Limited Edition Giclee reproductions and notecards available**

"Dances With Trees"

This painting was for my daughter Becky. Since she could stand on two feet she has danced on any danceable surface. This did not exclude on the table, in the boat, on the beach, in the car, and in every room of the house on a daily basis. Her love of music translates to movement and is wonderfully spontaneous.
One morning I was walking in the wind as the moon was coming up and the apple trees were dancing.
I thought of Becky, and this painting was born.

Original, Limited Edition Giclee reproductions, and notecards available**