Likely the definitive written expression of The Language of Trees is the anthology by Katie Holden who translates the words of myriad poets and essayists into illustrations of trees in an alphabetic format.  Poet Ross Guy’s introduction reveals that the language of trees, “might incline us to be less brutal, less extractive. It might incline us to give shelter and make room. The language of trees might incline us to patience. To love. It might incline us to gratitude.”

This sentiment visually prevails at the Arts Barn’s latest offering featuring 26 primarily local artisans exploring the natural beauty of trees in the 50-piece exhibit “The Language of Trees”.   The exhibit showcases homages created from wood, acrylic, oil, watercolor, printmaking, ceramics, photography and mixed and natural media.

“The idea was mine and was inspired by the City’s logo of the Forest Oak,” explained Jaree Donnelly, Gallery and Program Art Coordinator for the City.  “Having been a resident of the City for years, I love that they are concerned with tree and forest conservation and the maintenance of the trees within the City limits.  Trees are beautiful, essential and inspiring—the perfect subject for an exhibition.  I knew it would be a wonderful display of talent and ingenuity.”

Local photographers Craig Higgins, Marge Wasson, Jean Phillips and Michael Kuchinsky captured particularly contemplative views.  The aura of place is unmistakably felt in Higgins’ misty duo “Seneca Lake Goose Landing” and “Little Seneca Lake Fall”.  He elaborated, “the back story is a trip down Little Seneca Lake at a time when a blanket of fog had descended.  Fog is a great time to create a sense of mystery and finding what’s behind that curtain of mist.  “Seneca Lake Goose Landing” takes the viewer through a frame of branches into the breakwater world of the Canada geese who come in for a landing at dusk. After all the squawking and settling in for the evening, the fog remains and the mystery remains as well in the quiet of the evening.  “Little Seneca Lake Fall” is a magical look at the tips of leaves yet to fall, and a mirage as to where the trees begin and end.  It’s a soft and gentle end to fall with a gray coat of soft fog to cushion the leaves about to let go.”

Wasson’s “In Training” captures “…the serenity of a beautiful garden, the craggy branches seemed to reach out and snag my attention!” Marge said.  “There is an energy that wants to break out of those gnarly shapes. I almost hear it calling me, ‘hey, c’mon over here’.”  “Bark and Snow” is “much the opposite. It is the essence of that wonderfully muffled sound of a snowy day, with a few bright “pings” coming from those curved dashes crossing the birch’s trunk.”

Germantown native Jean Phillips showed the lovely “Winter Calm” and “Spiritual Place to Rest”.  Particularly sophisticated are Kuchinsky’s black and whites “A Twisting Journey” and “Hydra”.

Ceramicist Nancy Jakubowski’s “Entwined” is a stunning clay sculpture of an ancient bristlecone pine with a nest of eaglets in its outstretched branches.  She expounded,

“The piece is made with stoneware clay and finished with acrylic paints. Bristlecone pines thrive in conditions inhospitable to other plants and are thought to be among the oldest, most adaptable organisms on earth. Twisted and turned by high winds as it grows, it becomes a work of art. Even after it dies, it stands for centuries.

“Forest Lamp” is a working lamp as well as a sculpture. A forest scene encircles the bulb and when illuminated the light comes through the trees and holes in their trunks. The piece was made with clay that was wood fired, a two-day firing process that creates a heat so intense that the wood ash in the kiln melts and glazes the work, creating a unique iridescent glow from the minerals captured in the wood.”

When asked about the theme’s inspiration, Jakubowski offered, “A walk in the woods takes us out of ourselves.  We get a special thrill if we are lucky enough to encounter a creature in the wild. Coming upon a gnarled old tree, full of mystery and life may make us stop and wonder how long it has grown there and how many creatures have inhabited its limbs and crevices. Maybe we imagine a Tolkeinesque creature, or a home for tiny fairies. My work is about these moments and the way they engage our hearts and imagination.”

Woodcrafter Tim Aley’s playful “Three Little Birds” is “my vision if the Three Little Pigs were Three Little Birds.  I was inspired by my walks in the fall and finding different acorns. I started with the straw house by finding a Sawtooth Oak acorn and trying io interpret its crazy cap.  All three houses were turned and hollowed from cherry wood and the tree in maple wood.  All were carved and then painted with acrylic paint.”

Rosanne Cuttitta’s monoprints “Redbud Leaf”, “Black Magic-Maple Leaf 1” and “Japanese Maple” express her wonderment with tree foliage.  “I have a yard full of trees, various maples, mulberries, pine, redbud. I love the variety of shapes, colors and textures—it’s inspiring. In working with monoprinting, the goal was to capture some of the differences through my own interpretation. I doubt I will ever tire of printing bits and pieces of these beautiful trees.”

Printmaker extraordinaire Carol Moore provided moving backstories to her trio of works.  Intaglio “Rebirth of the Maiden” depicts the maiden leaving the human world only to be reborn as a tree. “In that moment of glory, her previous life plays out in the foliage.  This print was inspired by my young daughter’s desire to be reborn as a tree.  It served as a time capsule of her life up to the point it was created. I believe there is a human longing to be connected to Nature’s Spirit.”  Lithograph “The Everything Tree” composes a tree with multiple specimens and “The Kitchen Tree” features Carol herself as a young girl.  “Playing in the kitchen tree is among my happiest childhood memories.  I felt connected to the earth—I was part of it.”

Collagist Jeanne Sullivan’s “The Secret Language of Trees” and “What the Tree Knows” were inspired by a tree’s wisdom and communication skills. ”Each one was created with layers of words and symbols pulling together the joy of a simple walk in the woods.”

I like celebrated Finnish photographer Mikko Lagerstedt’s tribute:  Life is about resilience and staying positive despite the challenges we face. Trees are the perfect example of strength because they face many challenges in their lifetime, yet they continue to grow and thrive despite obstacles. They symbolize the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome barriers. When we see a tree standing tall and proud despite its trials, we are reminded that we can overcome our challenges.

The Language of Trees is on view at the Arts Barn through April 7, 2024 with hours Tuesday through Saturday from 1-5 pm.  See a slide show of the works and more details here https://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/about-us/city-facilities/arts-barn/arts-barn-gallery#ad-image-33.