EARTH
Blue Tree
Carol L. Nichols
Artist’s Statement
Inspiration - Describing inspiration is like describing dreams. There is a clarity but its origin, reality and meaning are not entirely clear. The source is not rational, but rather creative, instinctive, questionable, powerful and at times demands action.
Driving up in the Michigan countryside on a vividly blue sky day in June 2011, I was admiring the trees along the side of the road as they went zipping by. Spring green, some pines and I noticed every now and then the stark white outlines of a very dead tree. The kind without any bark and I had this thought - wouldn’t it be great to paint one of these trees bright blue, to connect the dead tree and sky, to bring one down and the other up. How beautiful, powerful, striking, FUN! The idea stuck with me. I’ve drawn it, mentioned it to friends, began experimenting and looking for a tree!
I am an “emerging artist”; mixed media, collage, photography, small sculpture, jewelry. Artist, May Tviet once counseled me “you just need to give yourself permission to create.” She also noted that it is important to follow up on these creative impulses, especially the persistent ones.
I am also a social worker at Hospice of Northwest Ohio and in this profound work, face the question “what is all this dying about?” I’ve had the opportunity to consider this life, it’s treasures and that death is a part of life. How do we process that? The tree is dead. It’s gone but still here. Change. Nature. I hope to honor the tree, its gone-ness, its here-ness. I hope to surprise people!
The Power of Blue: Color speaks. Blue may mean blue sky, open fresh, peaceful and pure at one moment or “the Blues” in another; sad and mournful. I hope the blue tree will speak to each individual. I hope the blue tree will be beautiful in different light, in different seasons and in different moments and for different reasons as others experience it. Plus, it’s always good to look up.
In the tradition of art in landscape (Christo, Andy Goldsworthy, May Tviet) this work is fleeting, so is life. The tree will fall, maybe tomorrow, soon it will be blue and it’s all beautiful. (If it falls before I have a chance to paint it, I’ll begin looking for another tree.)
Synchronicity - There are at least two connections between the Blue Tree and other important greater community experiences. The Karner Blue Butterfly which had disappeared from our area but is in the process of being successfully reintroduced is one. The Blue Tree and the Karner Blue Butterfly are connected here in blue-ness, gone-ness and here-ness. The other is the Lucas County Children Services April campaign to raise awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month; a “Wear Blue Day” April 10th, and throughout the month, in conjunction with the Arts Commission there are a number of blue art projects; Yarnbombs and Artomatic 419 will feature “blue” pieces. (Toledo Free Press, Thursday , April 4, 2013, “Artists, yarnbombers support local fight against child abuse”). Neither of these occurrences were known to me as the blue tree project evolved but there are real connections that happen even when we are unaware, certainly something I have witnessed with my hospice work, over and over.
The blue stain is environmentally friendly and will not adversely affect wildlife, water or air quality. I found the tree (likely an elm, about 75 ft. tall, across the field, along Swan Creek) last fall while visiting the Corn Maze at the Butterfly House on 11455 Obee Rd. in Whitehouse, OH.
I plan to paint the tree in one day, on a weekend, when the weather permits and the ground is solid. I will keep all informed via this blog. Spectators are welcome, then the EARTH blue tree project becomes performance art as well! A special thank you to Duke Wheeler, property owner and Larry Nichols, best friend.
Carol L. Nichols
Carol Nichols lives in Toledo, OH with her husband Larry. They have three children; Peter, Teddy and Margaret. She is a Licensed Independent Social Worker. Educated at Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA and Columbia University, NY, NY. This is her first blue tree.
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