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Oak trees, fire and art

Spending time away from computers and cell phones the last couple of days was a refreshing respite. A lovely friend invited me to paint an old oak on her property, one she and her siblings played on and around in childhood. This was a massive Live Oak. It had battle scars. The fire that had destroyed the family home seven years prior, had scorched one side of this tree. The bark was scared, peeled and missing in places, almost like human skin after a bad burn. Some of the vestiges of that burn remained, and despite that, it grew on.Richard B. Standiford from the University of California Department of Environmental Science says the following: “The major effect of fire on oaks is determined by the temperature reaching the living cells of the cambium beneath the bark. Coast live oak, noted for its thick bark, provides good insulation for living cambium cells. Bark thickness increases with tree diameter at breast height (d.b.h.), so that larger trees are much more resistant to high temperature fires than thin barked small trees. “[1]

Native Americans managed the oak woodlands by fire. The trees were important to their survival. Acorns were a major part of their diet, and they traded acorns for things they didn't have like obsidian for making projectile points and other necessities. The fire may sear the tree, but increased its viability in the long run, keeping competing species to a minimum. 

In the arts each artist must determine how their time is best spent to hone their craft and further their calling. Traveling to beautiful places and hiking drawing and painting them is part of my creative process. Painting this oak is something that inspires me. Oaks are an important ecological, historical, cultural and aesthetic part of Yosemite Valley, my home town. The personal connection of friendship and oak trees make it more special.  As a friend put it: ”How wonderful to have such a gracious commission! Your lady sounds wonderful, like the patrons of old who invited artists to take up residency while producing their masterpieces.” Gracious and wonderful indeed, and she and her husband took care of every need. Dinner with lively conversation, a hike to a special place where the water was deep turquoise, and kelp tendrils undulating in amazing patterns changing with every ebb and flow, and a whole day making watercolor studies of the oak.