Study for The Ironbark

I have always marvelled at the large ironbark tree (possibly Eucalyptus tricarpa) growing on the nature-strip outside a neighbour’s house. Probably tapping into the storm-water pipes below the surface and unrivalled for light and air, the tree is larger and healthier than a similar specimen on our own nature-strip. Having admired this tree for many years, I chose to create a series of artworks in tribute to the ironbark, that particular tree and all of its kind.
We need them so much and we need them to keep growing. This study of the tree examines its eponymous bark as the eye and hands travel around the circumference of the trunk, just above ground level.
I enjoy working with oil pastels and they seemed to lean into the feel of the bark as they were dragged, pushed and rubbed across the paper’s surface.