When I recently picked up a note card with its image of green trees layered against a green-gold sky, I knew that I intended to tape it to my wall. Such a quiet scene with its ethereal light. A bit of brightness in the increasing pale of winter. No matter how many times I looked at the image, I found something new to ponder. Finally, last night, I did what I should have done in the first place — I looked up the artist. I had never heard of Eyvind Earle. He passed away over a decade ago. A publishing house oversees the continued exhibition of his works. His website bio revealed he had been an illustrator with Disney for films like Sleeping Beauty, but most exciting for me was learning that at 21 he cycled across the country paying his way by painting watercolors inspired by the journey. What a forested landscape he must have cycled through! His work surely inspired me in a tree-way this morning.
Nothing fancy of course. Just some quick work with pencils and paper and scissors and glue exploring color and texture and the sometimes unexpected sinuous shapes to found amongst the trees.
I can’t wait to revisit his work but now I need to leave my desk. As I walk out into the world I can’t help but think that my perspective has been changed. I know my travel route. I will pass many a tree of different shapes and sizes. I hope I don’t miss my train as I lose myself in their branches. 😉
Words + Images 