Skeletons

As the magnolias bloom in California and spring approaches, there is not much time left to enjoy the bare trees.  Nothing beats a naked tree.  If I am to paint a successful portrait, I must understand the skull.  Well, a painting of a tree also benefits from an understanding of the tree's skeleton.  A tree's shape may appear random, but there is always a meaningful pattern.  If I were to place branches just anywhere, I would never come up with a convincing tree.  Yes, I prune trees in my garden and play god with their shapes.  Yet, the same does not work on paper or canvas.  I am always most satisfied with a tree painting if it actually resembles an existing tree.  There is a beauty and dignity that I enjoy translating to the canvas.  Just like a portrait of a person.  So I will stop writing now, and go out to draw some trees! 

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