Tempest

My abstract work is inspired by impressionist studies of things of the natural world. Tempest is one of my studies. This is a study of a huge columnar white pine, in my own back yard. 

My partner and I had in the past year, moved into a small house on a beautiful large lot filled with trees. We moved in April on a warm, breezy day. I remember standing at the kitchen sink admiring the huge pine and the way it gently swayed back and forth in the breeze. It looked so soft with its long needles all "fluffed" and blowing in the breeze.

Then in the cold, winter wind it looked like a completely different tree. The branches looked almost barren. The needles no longer "fluffed" but seemingly clinging together to keep warm. I was struck at how the branches and needles huddled together and made themselves as small and compact as possible to protect themselves and each other from the brutality of the cold Midwest winter. 

And I likened this to the human family. Whether we're biologically related or not, humanity will come together in time of need to withstand any Tempest.

This inspired my series Family. 

                                                                                                                                                                               Rosemary Craig