A Living Fossil. The Resilience Of The Ginkgo Tree.
I find the Ginkgo tree fascinating and the details so intricate. This tree creates unique fan-shaped leaves which turn a stunning yellow color in the fall. It can tolerate many urban conditions including heat, air pollution, salt and confined spaces. How resilient. I wish the same for all the wild places in this world. The Ginkgo tree is also considered a living fossil, with the earliest leaf fossils dating from 270 million years ago.
A litte more from Oregon.gov: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Documents/forestbenefits/Gingko.pdf
I've made countless journal entries studying how I would like to express nature's design in every leaf. Just like a snowflake, each leaf looks very similar, yet no shape and veins are quite the same. They have made their way to many of my larger drawings in secondary design elements.
The process I take to collect these leaves are inspired by my Mom. When I was young I would venture along with my Mom as she wandered in search of flowers and leaves to collect. She would bring the days finds back home to press between wax paper in large heavy books. A year later she would pull a selection from the books to create amazing and beautiful collages. My process started here. I collect and press Ginkgo leaves and other found elements. I draw from these in the studio. So many of these leafs that show up in my art are drawn from pressed flowers, honoring the process my Mom started so long ago for me.
I often study the ginkgo leaf in combination with other found objects, especially feathers.
Many orders will find a unique, original ink drawing of a Ginkgo leaf included in the art or print they order. If you unwrap one, may it bring you prosperity.
/ A 2018