Shadows

Here we are heading into fall of 2020 when the shadows get longer, right? I love this time of year. The air is cooler and we can almost sense a change. At least that’s what I hope. But before I get too far along in my thinking, I’ll share some important details with you.

Favorite Things

This drawing, post and blog are a part of a series I call Favorite Things. This means each week I write about a drawing or painting and the process. You are invited to follow along as I share stories about the creative life I lead. To do so, simply sign up here. You’ll receive one email each week and get a first look at my latest drawing or painting. Woot!

Trees

Since early August of this year, I have been noticing, photographing and sketching the trees on my daily morning walks. In particular, I am in awe of the incredible number of large oak trees within walking distance of our house. Why? Look at the width of its trunk! I think to myself, good grief this tree must be five hundred years old.

I share this thinking with whomever will listen: my dog, my better half, a random person walking by the tree at the same time as I am. They all look at me, smile vaguely and go on their way. But when you see a trunk like this tree, surely aren’t you in awe, too? It certainly has been around awhile. Don’t you agree?

OK you don’t have to agree with the exact age. And, if you didn’t, you would be correct. I found a website that helps calculate the age of a tree without cutting it down. Based on the formula in this article, this tree is two hundred and twenty nine years old. WOW!

Early Life

Imagine if this tree is actually two hundred and twenty nine years old. What does that mean? Well, it started to sprout in 1791. Get this! In 1792, Raleigh actually is established as capital of North Carolina.

Then, think of how many moments in history have happened around this tree. Such as? Well, Duncan Cameron, lawyer and plantation owner, had a home on 10 acres near this tree. And, this tree is also located blocks away from what became Oberlin Village; the village established by freed slaves from Cameron’s plantation.

Modern Life

Currently, this majestic tree holds down a corner of the Bellwood Condominiums in downtown Raleigh. Recently, all of these condominiums and the land were purchased for redevelopment. I can only hope this tree survives this latest transition. For perspective, the tree is in the upper right hand corner of the yellow boundary marking this new development scheduled to start in 2022. See the image below. The white arrow in the image points to our tree.

Tree Shadows

In the graphite drawing, the shadows on this tree are from its massive canopy. I can only hope that the future will enable this wonderful tree to continue to thrive and provide shadows and beauty in its ever changing environment.

Raleigh is known as the City of Oaks. Here’s hoping it grows and thrives while keeping a careful watch over it’s treasure of mighty oaks.

Your Shadows

How about you? Are you noticing your shadows lengthening each day? And, no I’m not talking about your shadow archetype. Whew…I just mean those shadows that are harbingers of the changing seasons. Please do share changes you notice as we move from summer to fall in the comments below!