Good post! See Merlin Hanbury Tenison's "Our Oaken Bones". He postulates that trees release terpenes and phytoncides, which enhance our health (reduce cortisol, improve immune system activity, and tweak the parasympathetic nervous system). Communicating via chemical signals as part of a coevolutionary symbiosis, perhaps.
conversations with trees. How wonderful an idea. Humans do seem to need trees of some kind, be they giant redwoods or the pinyons and junipers of the Great Basin. One thing I've noticed as developers fill the empty spaces with houses is the eventual addition of trees. New neighborhoods here in Minden show that as soon as people moved into a new house, they will plant trees. Within a decade, those trees will be tall with wide canopies. it's beginning to look like a forest around here. Goes to show that people don't like living in barren places. Gotta have those green trees.
I'm still in carlton, wrote ths in 2023 when I was still in montana. Tonya tried to do an intro when reposting but it didn't get attached. Glad you liked it. I'll bring some paintings by for show and tell! Thx Fran
Yes! The email this morning was supposed to have a note from me on top explaining that this is one of my favorite pieces from 2023, and why I think it’s so extraordinary (though that’s self evident.) Anyway, the note didn’t get attached, and I don’t know why it didn’t, but I’m so happy that the piece went out regardless and everyone is getting a second chance to read!
hello, Constance. and, thank you so so much for your generous comment and reaction to the paintings. as an artist sometimes we can get too close to the "doing" of a painting. funny, my first thought was "not seeing the forest for the trees!" but its true. Time and distance from a piece of work finally allows it to be seen. Your thoughtful description perfectly captures my intention and hope for the viewer. Tabby
What a pleasure it would be to see the panels in person where I could track the three-dimensionality of your cold-wax method. Soulful work all the way around, mystery intact! Loved The Overstory too.
oh thank you Kristen for your lovely comment. yes, in person the textures are definitely more apparent. come to Montana! so happy the work connected with you. and weren't you just blown away by the Overstory! my but amazing writing.
Yes, Overstory is substantially relevant and just beautifully written, the entire book a poem to be savored again. And, who knows, maybe I will be in Montana again. My mini-van turned camper is ready to explore. I have a poem Dendrochronology on my Substack, fascinated by all the possible information held there. Each tree a library.
I didn't understand the power of trees until I ventured across Australia & experienced Eucalypt (gum) forests. Your works bring back vivid memories. Thank you, Tabby.
oh, thank you, Ellen. I am so appreciative of Tonya for given me a place to think, and then write about my work. its true what they say about writing, you write to find out what you really think!
thank you so much for you most generous comments, Oscar. these have been so wonderful to paint. I even get lost in them! which is probably why they resonate with people.
Hello Tabby Ivy, what I hear in this piece and your paintings is the trees' voice. Music to us all and all creatures. Thirst and famine, love and admiration, the essential desire for warmth and the heights we will go to reach for it. Definitely, I am a disciple of Dendrolapry. (new word, but not concept for me, thank you.) I read both books mentioned. Ran to the bookstore when they arrived in the store. Saving wood for the forests. As well, I've mentioned in Juke comments on other readings the forests I've spent a good deal of time in walking. Ontario, for starters. Washington Sq. Park, NYS and others. Hawaii, New Guinea for 6 months, Nigeria for another. The Himalayas, though the trees fall back at heights. The blue poppy rises. Europe. Not Germany, but would love to someday. However, just having your paintings to view first part of my day, my immediate thought was of the Fibonacci scale, how its universality is especially told in the trees. A divine proportion and prophecy. The music in their rustle, the prism in their light. Yada. Just a huge thank you for your work, Tabby, and your writing, too. A blessing in and of itself. Constance
oh thank you so much for your generous comments, Constance. how wonderful that you have been able to travel so widely to such interesting places! you inspire me with your words. again, thank you!
Astounding! I would like to see these paintings in person. I see you are not in Carlton anymore. Of course trees communicate with us. We just aren’t listening.
hello, Constance. and, thank you so so much for your generous comment and reaction to the paintings. as an artist sometimes we can get too close to the "doing" of a painting. funny, my first thought was "not seeing the forest for the trees!" but its true. Time and distance from a piece of work finally allows it to be seen. Your thoughtful description perfectly captures my intention and hope for the viewer. Tabby
Good post! See Merlin Hanbury Tenison's "Our Oaken Bones". He postulates that trees release terpenes and phytoncides, which enhance our health (reduce cortisol, improve immune system activity, and tweak the parasympathetic nervous system). Communicating via chemical signals as part of a coevolutionary symbiosis, perhaps.
I will check it out, Ned. Thank you!
conversations with trees. How wonderful an idea. Humans do seem to need trees of some kind, be they giant redwoods or the pinyons and junipers of the Great Basin. One thing I've noticed as developers fill the empty spaces with houses is the eventual addition of trees. New neighborhoods here in Minden show that as soon as people moved into a new house, they will plant trees. Within a decade, those trees will be tall with wide canopies. it's beginning to look like a forest around here. Goes to show that people don't like living in barren places. Gotta have those green trees.
I'm still in carlton, wrote ths in 2023 when I was still in montana. Tonya tried to do an intro when reposting but it didn't get attached. Glad you liked it. I'll bring some paintings by for show and tell! Thx Fran
Yes! The email this morning was supposed to have a note from me on top explaining that this is one of my favorite pieces from 2023, and why I think it’s so extraordinary (though that’s self evident.) Anyway, the note didn’t get attached, and I don’t know why it didn’t, but I’m so happy that the piece went out regardless and everyone is getting a second chance to read!
hello, Constance. and, thank you so so much for your generous comment and reaction to the paintings. as an artist sometimes we can get too close to the "doing" of a painting. funny, my first thought was "not seeing the forest for the trees!" but its true. Time and distance from a piece of work finally allows it to be seen. Your thoughtful description perfectly captures my intention and hope for the viewer. Tabby
again. many thanks! T
What a pleasure it would be to see the panels in person where I could track the three-dimensionality of your cold-wax method. Soulful work all the way around, mystery intact! Loved The Overstory too.
oh thank you Kristen for your lovely comment. yes, in person the textures are definitely more apparent. come to Montana! so happy the work connected with you. and weren't you just blown away by the Overstory! my but amazing writing.
Yes, Overstory is substantially relevant and just beautifully written, the entire book a poem to be savored again. And, who knows, maybe I will be in Montana again. My mini-van turned camper is ready to explore. I have a poem Dendrochronology on my Substack, fascinated by all the possible information held there. Each tree a library.
I didn't understand the power of trees until I ventured across Australia & experienced Eucalypt (gum) forests. Your works bring back vivid memories. Thank you, Tabby.
The images are exquisite! As is the beautifully-written backstory. I always love getting a peek into the mindset of the artist. What a fabulous piece.
oh, thank you, Ellen. I am so appreciative of Tonya for given me a place to think, and then write about my work. its true what they say about writing, you write to find out what you really think!
thank you so much for you most generous comments, Oscar. these have been so wonderful to paint. I even get lost in them! which is probably why they resonate with people.
oh thank you Cherie, I am so touched that the work touches you!
Hello Tabby Ivy, what I hear in this piece and your paintings is the trees' voice. Music to us all and all creatures. Thirst and famine, love and admiration, the essential desire for warmth and the heights we will go to reach for it. Definitely, I am a disciple of Dendrolapry. (new word, but not concept for me, thank you.) I read both books mentioned. Ran to the bookstore when they arrived in the store. Saving wood for the forests. As well, I've mentioned in Juke comments on other readings the forests I've spent a good deal of time in walking. Ontario, for starters. Washington Sq. Park, NYS and others. Hawaii, New Guinea for 6 months, Nigeria for another. The Himalayas, though the trees fall back at heights. The blue poppy rises. Europe. Not Germany, but would love to someday. However, just having your paintings to view first part of my day, my immediate thought was of the Fibonacci scale, how its universality is especially told in the trees. A divine proportion and prophecy. The music in their rustle, the prism in their light. Yada. Just a huge thank you for your work, Tabby, and your writing, too. A blessing in and of itself. Constance
oh thank you so much for your generous comments, Constance. how wonderful that you have been able to travel so widely to such interesting places! you inspire me with your words. again, thank you!
Astounding! I would like to see these paintings in person. I see you are not in Carlton anymore. Of course trees communicate with us. We just aren’t listening.
hello, Constance. and, thank you so so much for your generous comment and reaction to the paintings. as an artist sometimes we can get too close to the "doing" of a painting. funny, my first thought was "not seeing the forest for the trees!" but its true. Time and distance from a piece of work finally allows it to be seen. Your thoughtful description perfectly captures my intention and hope for the viewer. Tabby