This was one of my first commissions and was done for my sister as a surprise for her partner for Valentine’s Day. The image is taken from a photo taken by the talented Mark Benson and was used as inspiration with his blessing. I must admit I have always loved Arbutus trees, I love the peeling bark and the multiple colours of the trunk, the branches and the leaves. My love affair with them has waned a bit since we have had a few plant themselves in our yard, and I must say they are a very messy tree, but they are also an endangered tree, many being affected by a fungus, and others possibly by the changing climate. The arbutus tree still plays an important role in the lives of First Nation people, where the bark is used for medicinal purposes. 

Acrylic 22” x 26”