16 Comments
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Amanda Wald Rachie's avatar

"... Eventually, I stopped trying to put this feeling into words on the page or even in my head. I began drawing them, searching out their form and trying to listen to their essence with all of my senses ..."

There is love in your drawings and paintings. I'm grateful to be a witness to your ongoing creative process. Did not know that olive trees live as long as redwood trees. I'm in awe now.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thank you, Amanda, for being here and for encouraging me the way you do.

Edward Yankie's avatar

I love 'em all. That paintings and the drawing. What's actually wonderful is to compare and contrast the spirit of the different mediums.

Beth Adams's avatar

Yes, I feel the same way! Thanks, Edward.

Suzanne Church's avatar

You've managed to portray the vast complexity of the leaves! I love the lower left region of the stone wall and soft abstracted colors of the fields (or more groves?) beyond. I too am so heartbroken at the destruction of Palestine homes, farms and intricate working structures, groves ... thank you for speaking to that as you show your reverence for these trees in Sicily.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thank you, Suzanne. These trees are witnesses and symbols both.

Elsa Valsdóttir's avatar

i was 10 when i first saw olive trees, in greece, and i still remember how awed i was by them, they seemed magical

Beth Adams's avatar

Did you pick an olive off the tree and try to eat it? I did and was shocked!

Elsa Valsdóttir's avatar

i was not that bold! i was just getting over the concept that food could grow on trees!

Rachel Barenblat's avatar

Oh, so beautiful, Beth.

Beth Adams's avatar

Thanks, Rachel.

Mary McCloskey's avatar

Every one of these is so beautiful, Beth. Your writing makes me yearn to see Greece someday.

That azure sky seems so captivating.

Beth Adams's avatar

I hope you can go, Mary. It's worth the effort to get there and make plans. We've never been to the islands, where everyone goes. And although I love the sea, I find the interior just as interesting as the coast.

Benjamin Swett's avatar

You really capture the spirit of a tree—

Beth Adams's avatar

That is a compliment, coming from you!