This drawing is part of an ongoing series studying growth in trees. Cross sections of bark reveal a series of figural masses which impinge on each other as the tree grows in circumference.

The cross section reveals deviations from a perfect circle caused by the tension of growth from within and containment and protection by the bark. Even as a mass of dead cells whose role is to protect the inner living tree like an armor, bark changes over time. Studying it exposes how trees adapt to changes in environment, how they protect themselves, and the rate and stress of growth. The broken continuity of the figural masses of the bark as seen in the drawing may have been the cause of the death of this tree. I came across this stump when hiking up Milkman’s lane, a 130 year old steep trail that is home to black cherries, hemlocks, yellow birches, ironwoods, butternuts, oaks, and maples.

Drawing was exhibited at the juried show “Tondo” at Manifest Art Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio, and at the Melt Studio Gallery, Picton, Canada