A Thing as Lovely as a Tree

A Thing as Lovely as a Tree.. one of the poems I was required to memorize in grade school.  

I find echoes of it floating around in my mind as I go through my days as an artist. 
I love to see works by other artists depicting trees.  These images inspire me to become a better artist. My view is usually looking upward, and I would suggest that everyone stand under a tree and take a look upward once in a while...it is a comfort given to us by a transient moment in time.  
Visit this link for some interesting current thoughts and images about trees  
The paintings in progress will be shown  in an exhibition entitled Nature: Inside Out at The Gallery at the J is located in the JCC on the Dell Jewish Community Campus, 7300 Hart Lane, Austin, TX 78731. The exhibition will run from March 8 - April 14, 2011.  Artist Reception is Wednesday March 23, 2011 7-8:30PM  in the JCC Community Hall and the Gallery.  You are invited to visit this beautiful venue for an evening of art and community in Austin.   

A Thing as Lovely as a Tree
Joyce Kilmer  1886-1918

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.