Portraits Of A Forest
aluminum, nails, and ink on wood, 2023 ︎︎
This series is a snapshot of the evergreen trees found in the forests of the Yampa Valley. I am enamored by the subtle details that appear when you explore the details of trees and am intrigued by the patterns reoccurring in different organisims throughout nature. I believe that when we come to know the living things around us intimately we are able to care for them more intentionally.
Our forests range from Pine, Spruce-Fir, Aspen, and Oakland Shrubs throughout the valley. The Lodgepole Pine, Engelmann Spruce, and Subalpine Firs are most widely occurring, with Ponderosa Pines, Blue Spruce, and Douglas Firs mixed in. Focusing on each tree’s bark, I aim to learn the unique personality of shapes to identify these trees and to bring appreciation to the beauty found in these barks. From left to right, I chose the intricately layered bark of the Ponderosa Pine, the contrasting bumps and smooth skin of the Subalpine Fir, and the thickly textured Engelmann Spruce.
These tree portraits were created from found and repurposed aluminum cans found along the Yampa River. The aluminum was then cut, shaped and placed on found wood blocks to be given new life.
Our forests range from Pine, Spruce-Fir, Aspen, and Oakland Shrubs throughout the valley. The Lodgepole Pine, Engelmann Spruce, and Subalpine Firs are most widely occurring, with Ponderosa Pines, Blue Spruce, and Douglas Firs mixed in. Focusing on each tree’s bark, I aim to learn the unique personality of shapes to identify these trees and to bring appreciation to the beauty found in these barks. From left to right, I chose the intricately layered bark of the Ponderosa Pine, the contrasting bumps and smooth skin of the Subalpine Fir, and the thickly textured Engelmann Spruce.
These tree portraits were created from found and repurposed aluminum cans found along the Yampa River. The aluminum was then cut, shaped and placed on found wood blocks to be given new life.
The Englemann Spruce
The Ponderosea Pine
Bark sketches, subalpine fir reference photos, and aluminum forms