Friday, April 12, 2013

The Tree


Years ago one of the first paintings I felt good enough to give away as a gift, and I mean a real gift wrapped and presented at a birthday party, was this Cypress tree I painted for A's birthday.  If you are from Santa Barbara you would instantly recognize it as the tree at the end of the bluff of the Wilcox Property (Douglas Family Preserve) which is an open space and off leash dog walking area not far from my house.
 
Like most people around here, especially if you live in this part of town, I have a relationship with this tree.  I have sat under it.  I have run past it as I turn around and head for home.  Sometimes I even tag it because it's just the half way point of a 5 mile run from my front door.  Lots of people have climbed it, but not me...as I find climbing a tree at the edge of a cliff a little too scary. 
Mostly I've just admired it and painted it and stood next to it.
 
This past week we had some fierce winds.  They lasted a few days but one night was so windy that I was woken up several times during the night hearing wind and the crashes of pots falling over and gates banging.  I knew we'd lose some trees around town but I was hoping it might be one of the trees on my street that blocks my ocean view!
 
I was so sad to hear the Cypress fell.
 

The dog and I went to visit and say goodbye.  Poor tree.

 
A very different view without that tree.
 
 
 
Paint Party Friday


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20 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 12, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    awe i'm so sad to hear that :(

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  2. NettyApril 12, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    love your painting and am sorry to see the tree fallen, I wonder if they will replace it. Happy PPF, Annette x

    http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

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  3. AnonymousApril 12, 2013 at 2:57 PM

    Oh that is sad, but it is a good thing you captured it in your painting so beautifully. Happy PPF

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  4. UnknownApril 12, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Oh. So sad, but such a beautiful painting!!

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  5. paulineApril 12, 2013 at 5:02 PM

    What a lovely painting... and now that the beautiful tree is gone, you must be so glad you took the time to admire it and paint it while it was there. I always hate seeing old trees uprooted... that last photo is a beautiful view. xox

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  6. DianneApril 12, 2013 at 9:21 PM

    I just love old trees...and you captured it so well in your painting! really too bad that it has been blown over...maybe someone will plant a new one? great post...happy PPF!

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  7. LaraApril 12, 2013 at 9:21 PM

    I have always admired that painting. Glad you captured the tree. It will be missed and very different without it.
    Where'd you get that cute date stamp from?

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  8. www.dorissdaughter.comApril 12, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    It will take a while to go past that site and not see the tree but at least you have the beautiful painting, so sad

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  9. dentheApril 13, 2013 at 12:30 AM

    Oh, that's sad! It's great that you have painted it though, now you'll forever remember it.

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  10. Ann JonesApril 13, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    So sad! I love trees and it is so sad when something happens to them. I love the painting :)

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  11. DeannaApril 13, 2013 at 5:32 AM

    Oh, how terrible! Glad you were able to paint that lovely tree and have some great memories but it's so sad that a grand tree like that has fallen.

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  12. Anne MandaApril 13, 2013 at 9:08 AM

    So sad that the beautiful tree fell. But the painting is very lovely, you captured the cool shade feeling of foliage very well.

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  13. jenniferApril 13, 2013 at 9:59 AM

    That is so sad..What a beautiful tree. I'm glad you have good memories of it a great painting as well! The new view is gorgeous.

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  14. Carola BartzApril 13, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    We can build such unique "bondings" to a tree - they are just something special. It hurts when we loose them. But in your paintings you can keep it forever, I hope.

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  15. VictoriaApril 13, 2013 at 11:58 AM

    So beautiful..what a gorgeous painting..so deeply meaningful and sacred..! I love the energy and soulfulness you captured in this amazing tree! HUgs...aww..so saddening to see it uprooted..and so lovely you ent to say goodbye!
    Very touching post...i have a deep connection and love of trees too..so I can relate!
    Victoria
    Happy PPF

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  16. Lynn CohenApril 13, 2013 at 6:41 PM

    i am so glad you got that tree captured on canvas. So beautifully done!!
    Sad that it was felled by the wind!

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  17. GigglesApril 13, 2013 at 10:32 PM

    Oh how devastating!! What a gorgeous painting! Aren't you glad you painted that beautiful tree...nice to have this photo of your painting!! I love the movement in your tree painting...and the shadows!! So sad that it's gone!

    Hugs Giggles

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  18. Tracey FKApril 13, 2013 at 10:59 PM

    we have lost so many trees this summer with our rain and storms, and I know how sad it is to lose a favourite, but I must say that the view is stunning... sorry I am late getting here for PPF but figuring I am just extending the fun... well that is my excuse and I am sticking to it ...xx

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  19. DVArtistApril 14, 2013 at 6:49 AM

    The painting is wonderful. I did think it was in CA. Too bad the old tree fell.
    Nicole/Beadwright

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  20. AnonymousApril 15, 2013 at 10:04 AM

    Such a touching post, I agree with everyone, it is so sad. Your painting is gorgeous and so soothing and peaceful.

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