Sometimes I Pretend To Be An Oak Tree

I have a favorite tree that I drive by every day. I often find myself slowing down just to look at it for a few more seconds. I imagine little tree people living in it, guarding its energy.

A couple of weeks ago, the tree was a backdrop in a dream I had. The next morning, I went on foot to inspect it closely. Standing under the tree felt like being under a blanket fort as a child, a small, separate universe.

Its branches formed a dome, and as I walked across it, its catkins brushed my shoulders. I had been feeling especially uprooted and untethered over the past couple of weeks, and I think my desire to paint this tree was my way of counteracting that feeling.

I did some research after creating this painting and found that this particular tree is a Southern Live Oak. Southern Live Oaks are native to the southeastern United States and Mexico, and have survived the hot climate because they have adapted to become resistant to wildfires. Live Oaks have an insulated bark; the tree bark has a thinner outer layer that is “dead” and a thicker inner bark layer that is living. Their roots are also especially widespread and contain food storages. When the tree appears to be destroyed by fire, the root crown sends up sprouts with the energy provided by the roots’ food storage reserve, replenishing it.

The original is 30×40" in size and was created using acrylics on canvas.