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I have always felt an affinity with trees. Perhaps its because I grew up in a neighborhood crowded with giant Oaks and Maples and the remnants of elms.
There they were, quiet and mysterious, alive and changing with the seasons and the weather. They each had their own distinct qualities and personalities as we sat underneath their arms and observed the busy universe they held in their branches.
Almost all traditional cultures have stories of tree spirits. Some Native Americans refer to trees as “one leggeds” and human as “two leggeds” Many people believe that trees have spirits or souls. Even the familiar Christmas tree has its origin in the ancient belief of the magical powers of evergreens.
I am fortunate to still live in a neighborhood filled with trees. They are tall and old with scarred trunks that tell the history of their lives. They were here long before the houses were built in the 1920s, remnants of old growth forrest hat stood here before the white people came. It is easy to imagine that these trees have witnessed things that remain somewhere in their memory.
It started me thinking about tree spirits and the stories that trees could tell.
I began to photograph the trees in the park in my neighborhood.
The growth patterns were eerie.
So like most thoughts I need to explore, it worked its way into may art. Clay seemed the perfect medium for this.
The first tree spirit I made was not a success. Opening the kiln keeps me humble on a regular basis. The idea was good, the result however, not so much…
It looks like a turd spirit more then anything else. And you wouldn’t want that looking back at you.
Not everything you do will turn out.
Back to square one.
I will keep the idea bouncing around in my brain and wait until something “clicks” and I try again.
Diane Hawkey creates and blogs from her Detroit area home .
You can visit her ETSY store and website, or read more of her ramblings on her blog.
lorigreenberg says:
But everyone needs a good turd spirit. And I would know.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Marcy says:
Diane, I loved reading this. I just finished two tree spirits in glass- they are a female form in a tree with the limbs being her limbs with a few leaves. We’re both tracking on this one. Like you, mine didn’t turn out as well as I had hoped. But I can’t wait to see where you go with this.
Marcy
November 8th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Christine B says:
Diane, I love your ideas! I have been making a lot of things with a tree motif lately, too. I really like the spirally branches in the Klimt painting. I can’t wait to see more of your ‘tree work’!
November 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Erin Prais-Hintz says:
I love this. That Klimt tree is one of my favorites. And I wouldn’t have thought “turd” had you not said that! Great story! Great inspiration!
Enjoy the day!
Erin
November 9th, 2009 at 8:06 am
FrogsongStudio says:
I loved reading this. I also love trees. I have a lot of old oak trees on my property and I have two that are kissing. I took photos of it and call it, “The Kiss”.
It’s two trees that somehow came together and merged into one spot like a kiss and then separated. It truly looks like two trees in a kiss and love embrace.
And I love your little sculpture. It doesn’t look like a turd to me at all.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Kathe says:
I love trees also and am always fascinated by the one legged ones. They are the first people and made our dirt and air.
November 9th, 2009 at 10:50 pm