Spirit of the Trees 1

Description

The original painting is painted on wood and is the first in a four-part series that explores the deep connection between the land, its living beings, and the stories held within nature. I imagine the trees as silent witnesses, holding memories of the environment and the people who have lived alongside them in community for generations.

In this piece, the bark of the trees takes centre stage, representing their strength, age, and wisdom. The yellow tones symbolise the intense heat and flames of bushfires that have swept across many parts of Australia. As I painted, I thought about the trauma experienced by trees and animals during these fires—how they endure, survive, and begin again.

This work honours their Spirit, their resilience, and their silent storytelling.