Redtree Times

Persevere (Face the Wind), 2003

If your determination is fixed, I do not counsel you to despair. Few things are impossible to diligence and skill. Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance.

—Samuel Johnson, The Prince of Abissinia, 1775

The painting shown here, Persevere (Face the Wind), is about 21 years old and has lived in my studio for most of that time. It was a conscious decision to keep it, Cheri having claimed it before it ever left the studio. It has remained a favorite for both of us over the years.

It’s a large piece, at 32″ wide by 52″ high. Being on paper, it matted and under glass which makes it seem even larger. It is formidable on the wall and, for me, in its meaning.

The idea of the singular tree willing to stand alone in the face of wind and weather, unwilling to conform, is, a powerful symbol for me as someone who never felt like nor wanted to be part of the crowd.

I wanted my thoughts and choices to be my own, not dictated by social or peer pressure. To stand alone, willing to hold tight against the winds of opinion or criticism. That might be as close to the true meaning of the Red Tree for myself as I have given.

Just thought I’d share this piece this morning as it is seldom seen and has such meaning for myself. It also makes me want to work large on paper again. I often worked in large scale on paper in the earlier part of my career but haven’t worked that way in years.

Also, the idea of perseverance in the face of what seems sometimes like an overwhelming wind of hate and crazy is something that reasonable people need to hold to these days. Hang on, folks.

Here’s a song in that vein from Brittany Howard and the Alabama Shakes that I have shared a couple of times over the years. It very much goes with the Red Tree here. Here’s Hold On.