The Old Oak

The Old Oak 12×16 Oil on canvas 2024

Most days for the last 30 years, I have walked up our rural road in the Bay Area. As with life, even roads change–the fences slump and need repair, the cows treat us to new calves, trees grow, branches expand and new batches of baby birds chirp from on high. The cycle of life on a well-walked road is apparent to the discerning eye.

I notice these changes, both on the road and in me. Steer #109 does not return the next year, red tailed hawks, now chased from their nests by new immigrants of crows, are fewer in number, old grand trees and branches fall, most always left to rot where they came down.

I’ve admired the old deciduous oak tree, standing guard over a beautiful meadow, still home to red-headed woodpeckers, providing a canopy for entire village of prairie dogs below.

Most oak trees in the East Bay hills are evergreens. This tree, marks the seasons for me, when I am in the Bay Area.

With its sturdy reassuring branches, the world seems perfect.

Before it falls, I have wanted to paint it and finally, I did.