Tree of Life Acrylic on Paper by Hyacinth Paul

Tree of Life was painted for a memorial on Fifth Street.  It was painted to honor the lives of those victims lost in the 2019 shooting that occurred in Dayton on August 4, 2019.  Nine people died and seventeen people were injured within 30 seconds of the shooting when 41 rounds were shot into a crowd in a bar.  Police officers arrived within 32 seconds that fateful day.  A total of twenty seven people were hurt that day including ten who were hurt due to other causes.  The painting is attached to corrugated plastic and notes can be attached with push pins at the memorial. I am one of the nine artists painting this mural and I am so privileged to share my ideas on the Tree of Life through this painting.  The tree of life is part of a folklore, mythology, religious or philosophical traditions the world over.  Interpretations of the Tree of Life abound.  To me it means the tree of life is immortal, it gives more than it receives and the circle of life continues.  It is akin to the tree of gold that shines through the gnarled branches of the aged tree trunk and continues to give to those who come in contact with it.  Painting this tree was mesmerizing and I think I will do a series of paintings of the Tree of Life through the lens of interpretations from around the world and translate them to my canvas.  It will be an interesting project.

In this particular painting I wanted to paint the earth gold which transfers the gold to the leaves.  This continues to nourish everyone that spends a moment under the tree.  

I have always loved gardening and this year during the Pandemic, I planted a small food forest which continues to deliver way more than I can consume - hence the "gold" that almost always goes unnoticed.  The pandemic forced us to create in more ways than one and this time the humble kitchen garden taught me lessons that I would love to continue to share as long as I live.  

I hope you enjoy this painting!