Rooted

I was attracted to this image taken from a holiday photograph of trees near a waterfall. I used only a tiny section of that photograph excluded most of the details and the composition. What moved me about the trees was how the roots seemed to be clawing underground, making a place for themselves, taking ownership. There is a certain obstinacy in how I see these trees holding on to the land. That appeals to me, makes me think that this connects to my immigrant experience; the need for authenticity and roots.

It was deeply emotionally satisfying to use the charcoal forcefully at places to get the edges, the tonal values and the texture. I felt like the tree….searching underground excavating its way through the earth.