The Tree of Creativity, (Undated), 76.2cm X 137.16cm, Italian canvas, acrylic, oil and spray paint
All sorts of things happen in this painting. This tree is more than just a tree, it is a home for shelter and safety. It is half human. The branches have hands that create art. Look carefully, the trunk has eyes but they are tree eyes not human eyes. Birds sprout from the branches like dancing leaves, swinging and flying!
There is an apple, a symbol of fertility and creativity hanging from the tree’s human hand. Another eye makes an appearance on a leaf on the right, observing everything. It is not blue but brown, which is a more common eye colour in nature.
Amidst all this is a note of strangeness, poison is hidden in the shape of red berries. Some of the tree’s roots are snakes. They represent the unpredictability in creation.
This painting was made with no plan and flowed directly from my mind to my hand while colours played in my head.
My mother, who is a tapestry weaver, really liked this painting. She made a beautiful tapestry based on it that is just the same size as the original. It is included here.