The Story behind the 'Unknown Tree'

March 08, 2015 in art, Nature, photography

This week I highlight the story of Bryan and his photo of a unknown tree in Oran, NY. He is one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

I asked Bryan to share with us who he is, what he does for a living, what are some of his hobbies, why was he compelled to photograph this scene, if he knew what type of trees they are and how did he found out about this challenge. Here it's his response:

Bryan Hills, 64, born in DeRuyter--live in Jamesville, now retired--formerly customer service supervisor for Crouse Hinds in Syracuse, like golf, walking, building wood projects, being outdoors.

I have passed by this tree many times, at different times of the year, it always caught my attention, I look forward to seeing the changes in its appearance every time I go by.

The picture was taken on March 23, 2014. The tree is located in a field on the east side of Oran-Delphi Rd, about 4 miles from Oran, NY. I do not know the type of tree, as far as meaning, the tree just always intrigued me.

I found out about the challange when you had your art showing at the Half Moon bakery in Jamesville. My wife and I brought our brother and sister in law to view your paintings. We had met you at the parade of homes in Jamesville.

The making of the 'Unknown Tree'

I chose to paint this tree from Oran, NY because I loved its dancing shape against the beautiful winter colors of the background. if you think you know what type of tree this is, don't hesitate to let me know, actually, I would love to find out!

Below you will find the development of this painting:

The final piece is a 24x30" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas finished in February 2015.

Unknown Tree, 24x30" acrylic on canvas, 2015 by Maria Rizzo.

The Story Behind the Gingko Tree

March 06, 2015 in art, Nature, photography

This week I highlight the story of Ellen Leahy and her photo of a Gingko tree. She is one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

Describe yourself: name, age, location, what do you do for a living and what are some of your hobbies? Hello, I am a ladylike lady who is also a bit feral, living in the old veterinarian’s house in Skaneateles. I like to wonder.

Why did you choose to photograph this particular tree?

I am particularly drawn to gingko trees because their beauty and hardiness. This gingko in particular is rather tall. Gingkos are ancient!

What time of the year was it? It was in the fall - every Fall I watch this tree change from green to yellow.

What is the exact location of this tree? The tree is on the eastern side of the historic Kreb’s Restaurant building on Route 20 in Skaneateles.

How did you find out about this challenge? I think Facebook

The making of the 'Gingko Tree'

I chose this tree because I was attracted by its shape and color and because I was intrigued by its unique name. After doing some research I realized why the Gingko tree is such a fascinating species. Let me share a couple of facts with you:

"Botanical.com recognizes Ginkgo biloba as 'the oldest living tree on the planet that's been used safely for over 3000 years,' noting that this relic from dinosaur times 'was nearly wiped out during the Ice Age everywhere except in China.' " "Another notable ginkgo tree fact - the bark and leaves of the plant are believed to secrete a sap which acts as a fire retardant. One of the useful functions of ginkgo biloba is thus as a natural means of protection against fires."

Below you will see the development of this acrylic painting.

The finished Gingko tree from Skaneateles, NY was painted with Golden acrylic on a 24x18" gallery wrap canvas during the month of Febrary, 2015.

Gingko tree, 24x18" acrylic on canvas by Maria Rizzo, 2015.

The Story behind the "Old Maple Tree"

February 24, 2015 in art, Nature, photography

This week I highlight the story of Tom Howard, one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

"I am Tom Howard, age 62, and I have lived most of my life in North Syracuse. I was born in Ogdensburg in northern NY. I've been working for OCPL (in the Local History and Genealogy Dept.) for the past 11 years. Tree study has been a life long hobby, ever since I grew up near the old growth North Syracuse Cemetery Oak Grove. I am a member of the Native Tree Society (NTS), an Internet group dedicated to the study of trees. I also write fiction (science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction) and poetry.

The tree in the photo is an ancient sugar maple in the old growth Liverpool School Maple Grove. It is an extraordinary tree, largest and possibly oldest sugar maple in the area. Other members of NTS have not seen a larger sugar maple. The picture was taken in Aug. 2014. The tree is located in the Liverpool School Maple Grove, which is behind the former Wetzel Rd. Elementary School, and near Liverpool High School, south of Wetzel Rd. in the town of Clay.

The tree is a sugar maple and is possibly one of the oldest of its kind in existence. It may be a survey Witness Tree for the Military Tract. The Military Tract covers much of central NY, and consists of lots granted to veterans of the Revolutionary War. The tract was surveyed about 1790, and surveyors marked "Witness Trees" along lot lines and borders. This tree has large scars that could have been made by the surveyor. A sugar maple Witness Tree stood on this spot, and I believe that this is the tree. If this is the tree that the surveyor marked about 1790, it would have been large and prominent then, possibly 200 years old then. This could be one of the oldest sugar maples in existence, at least 400 or more years old today. It is a craggy, ancient giant. I first saw this tree in 1998 when I drove around Onondaga County looking for old trees and old forests.

I heard of the challenge when I walked into the Central Library in downtown Syracuse, and saw your poster. I knew I had to enter it." -Tom Howard

The making of the 'Old Maple Tree'

Below you will see the development of this painting and how, like the Magnolia Tree's painting, my social media followers played a big part on the final result of this artwork.

I really liked the use of minimal colors in this painting but I was unsure how people responded to it. I thought about adding all the greens and browns to create a more similar copy of the photo but in my gut I felt that staying with this minimal color palette of yellows, greens and grays was the right thing to do to create a timeless piece.

So I asked my faithful friends and fans on social media what should I do and I was surprised by the many positive responses cheering me to continue with this limited palette, and so I did.

Old Maple Tree by Maria Rizzo, 30x24" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas, December 2015.

At the opening reception for Trees of Onondaga, Tom Howard will give a short presentation about our Onondaga County trees! The opening will take place on Saturday, March 14, at the Onondaga Free Library, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m..

The Story behind the 'Willow Tree'

February 17, 2015 in art, Nature, photography

This week I will highlight the story of Steven Marrone, one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

1. Describe yourself: name, age, location, what do you do for a living and what are some of your hobbies? Steven Marrone, 32, Syracuse. Job: Owner- Steven Marrone Painting. Hobbies: Hiking, Oil Painting, Photography

2. Why did you choose to photograph this particular tree/ trees? This particular tree is amazing to see in person. There are just so many angles to capture. Each shot can portray many different emotions. The bark has so much depth, that if you stare at a section, your eyes will play tricks on you.

3. What time of the year was it? Summer

4- What is the exact location of this tree? The tree is located in Burnet Park right behind the swimming pool. 43.0406524,-76.185678

5 - Do you know the type of tree you have captured? Does this tree have a particular meaning to you? Willow. This is my favorite tree to stare up at and take photos. Each photo is so different.

6 - How did you find out about this challenge? Social media

The making of 'Willow Tree'

Below you will see the step by step development of this acrylic painting.

The finished painting, below, I hope you like it!

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

~ Maria Rizzo