Tree At Sunrise

Tree at sunrise was inspired by Celtic design; the order and symmetry is in contrast to the interlinking and appealingly chaotic mesh of the tree.

The tree has long been a symbol of nature and philosophy and many cultures reference the"tree of life." Rooting itself deeply in the earth drawing up nutrients and gaining its energy from the sky to create mass and feed the earth, the tree feeds an ecosystem of a vast diversity of creatures.

This painting incorporated the holonic structure of nature, the hierarchy of chaos and order, parts and wholes. On a closer look the painting is made up of chaotic parts but from further away the observer can see these parts make up a whole of system and order - the ecological system of the tree. The sunrise leaves the observer wondering what part of this systematic ecology of the tree does it play in an even bigger whole incorporating the sunrise; and what beyond that?

The painting draws inspiration from the ecology of the British countryside and its diversity. From plants, invertebrates, fish, birds to mammals.

The half transparent human figure stares off to the sunrise, perhaps not quite knowing their place, in awe of the solitude and serenity, the abundance of beauty, their insignificance and profundity.

The deer is also semi-transparent, caught for a moment by the sunrise he takes a holiday from his deerly duties to ponder the sunrise.