Eye Spy A Tree, Welcome to the Arboretum

 

Prunus species, Beauty Plum



An arboretum: A place to study a collection of trees from an artist’s point of view 


Amber R Turner

 

For those of us who draw from nature, an arboretum is an opportunity to experience trees from around the world through history and time in a single place. The art of the tree is a delightful challenge to represent, with its never-ending variety of shapes, colors and textures. As each species and individual tree is unique, each of its structures—silhouette, trunk, leaf, seed or flower—is dependent on seasonality, climate, and environment.

 

Common to both the artist and the scientist is extreme observation. Sitting with trees, watching changing seasonal light play across their form reveals what cannot be comprehended in a single day. Though time is the most difficult aspect to capture in tree drawing, it is a most important element. Whether you hope to represent a single season or an eon of growth, time stares you in the face.

 

I was taught to look, see and understand every facet of a subject before putting a mark on paper.  As I struggle to find my place with an individual tree, I ask myself:  Is it a portrait of a single example or does it represent a species?  Most often, it is both. To those of us who draw “en plein air. " we must pay special attention to the light source and how it affects the form. Often, other structures or shadows create a less-than-ideal context. And while focusing on accuracy of the details, we must always bear in mind the overall composition. 

 

The best part of this creative endeavor is the intense focus I feel while drawing. The oneness with the subject and the environment reminds me are all the same star dust. 


This blog exists to celebrate trees, the ancient giants of the plant world. The Eye Spy a Tree project is supported by The American Society of Botanical Artists and has received the Dorothy R. Peck Artist Grant Award "Getting out of the Studio to Make a Difference". Botany through drawing connects us to nature. Thank you for your support. 



Each numbered tree is at Luther Burbank Home and Garden (LBH&G) in Santa Rosa California. It is a research garden, a living museum and an inviting park. Please consider visiting and making a donation to this precious space for both people and plants. 



Eye Spy a Tree is a work in 2 Parts:

1. Eye Spy a Tree, finished tree drawings at LBH&G.

2. Botany Through Drawing, Teaching adventures, classes and observations.

Please, take walk through the arboretum,

Amber R Turner





This list and Map of 26 trees and shrubs at Luther Burbank Home & Gardens, includes many species from around the globe. Several are historical Burbank hybrids, and others are native to California, while some are on the IUCN RED LIST of endangered species. What they have in common is their importance to the world. It is often said trees are the lungs of the planet, but are they not also its heart and soul?


The Great Trees of Luther Burbank Home & Gardens


 
1. Japanese Maple, Acer palmatum

2. Mexican Flowering Dogwood, Cornus florida urbiniana

3. Copper Beech, Fagus sylvatica "Purpurea"

4. Long Leafed Yellowwood, Podocarpus henkelii

5. Chinese Tallow Tree, Triadica sebifera

6. Burbank Plums, Prunus species
 
7. Paradox Walnut, Juglans regia x J. hendsii

8. Henry Lauder's Walking Stick, Corylus avellana 'Contorta'

9. Mission Black Fig, Ficus carica

10. Multi-grafted Apple, Malus domestica cvs.

11. Paw Paw, Asimina triloba

12. Butternut x Heartnut Walnut, Juglans cinerea x J. ailantifolia,  

13. Burbank Chestnut, Castanea burbankii

14. Maidenhair Tree, Ginkgo biloba

15. Flowering Cherry, Prunus x yedoensis 'Akebono' 

16.  Saucer Magnolia, Magnolia x soulangeana

17. 'Hayward Fuzzy' Kiwi , Actinidia deliciosa,

18. Southern Catalpa, Catalpa bignonioides

19. 'Van Deman' Quince, Cydonia oblonga

20. Coast Redwood, Sequoia Sempervirens

21. Royal Paradox Walnut, (Juglans nigra x J. california) x (Juglans regia x J. hindsii)

22. Australian Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon

23. Nectarine, Prunus persica 
 
24. Peach, Prunus persica

25. Coast Live Oak, Quercus agrifolia

26. Paperbark Maple, Acer griseum


Copyright © 2021 by Amber R Turner

All right reserved. No part of this publicaiton may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form by any means, including photocopying, recording or any other elecronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the artist and author, Amber R Turner, except for those uses permitted by copuright law. 


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