The Tree That Started It ALL

In 2021 I was commissioned to draw a tree

A dear family friend asked me to create an artwork of a tree that was a meaningful symbol to them as a way to commemorate their wedding day. I wanted to make it truly special, but at the time I had no idea how to make a tree interesting. I even started dreaming up dramatic ideas like hiding portraits of the wedding party in the leaves like an optical illusion, simply because I couldn’t imagine a tree being captivating on its own.

Before going too far, I decided to draw a tree for myself first, just to see what would happen. I chose the Giant Camphor Tree of Kawago as my inspiration. And the moment I began to ink it, it sparked something in me. I became completely enchanted by the overlooked beauty of trees.

Growing up, I spent so much time in them. I climbed any tree I could. I’d sit for hours in the branches letting my imagination wander. But somewhere along the way I stopped spending time with them, and without noticing, I lost that connection.

Drawing this tree reminded me of what I’d forgotten. It opened my eyes to how extraordinary trees really are. It’s strange how easily we stop seeing things as they are. We look at them through our assumptions instead. We turn the living world into a backdrop. And we often do the same with people. The older we get, the more this happens, and the easier it is to take things for granted.

Ever since drawing this tree, I’ve become more aware of truly seeing what’s in front of me. It’s helped me step out of autopilot and return to conscious presence. Drawing has been the perfect practice to cultivate focus, discipline and calm, with the added bonus of leaving behind something tangible that carries meaning and beauty for those who feel a connection with it. It’s like meditating but materialising the feeling that the meditation has given you once you are complete and then being able to share that with others.

And somehow, this tree became more than a drawing. It became a reminder to slow down, to notice, to reconnect. Every person who’s paused to look at it has seen something slightly different, as if the tree becomes a mirror reflecting whatever they most need in that moment.

That, to me, is the real magic of art.

And it’s why this piece holds such a special place in my heart.

Watch the full process video of this artwork here.

If you’d like to sit with this artwork a little longer, limited edition prints are available in my studio shop during the month of December. Join my email list to be reminded.