Reweave
2022

The ancient sierra junipers living in the high Sierras near Florence Lake inspired this series.  These junipers can be up to 2,000 years old, roots wrapping between and around granite.  They can be massive, with thick furry bark and winding, spiraling branches.

 They are so alive, exposed to wind, rain, snow and lightning, their branches twisting in response to the elements and weaving into the branches of their neighbors. The trees and their roots look like lava flowing over rock in the fluid way they adapt to and take advantage of granite slabs and boulders.

 The power of these trees touched me deeply, leaving me helpless in the studio. I went to work anyway. I drew from photos of the junipers, then brought in colors from the bark, leaves and sky.  Quickly the pieces became something else; there is nothing about the trees’ weightiness in this series. Maybe it’s the spirit or energy of the trees that comes through. There is so much the junipers communicate, and the body listens and responds. ‘Reweave’ refers to fascia, with its ongoing dynamic weaving, spiraling, and reorganizing within the body. This feels akin to the way that sierra junipers are able to internally adjust and reshape themselves as they live in their rugged environment.