Massive branches zigzagging upward, leathery dark green leaves, and craggy gray bark characterize the impressive Garry Oak tree, which is native to the Pacific Northwest where I live. It’s acorns remind me of tiny heads with knit caps pulled down snugly over the ears. A friend pointed out that they are the perfect size for a child’s pocket–so true!
Quercus garryana on vellum
Garry Oaks grow on dry south-facing banks of rivers and dry meadows in western Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. It’s acorns not only provide sustenance for a variety of wildlife but were once a staple food for native Americans.
According to the book, Northwest Trees, Garry Oak forests were cultivated by aboriginal peoples through controlled burns. The fires caused conditions that favored not only the proliferation of the oaks but also meadows where flowering bulbs that were another food source thrived. One of the bulbs they cultivated for food is Camassia, which I painted last year. After white settlers moved in during the 1830’s and 1840’s, many of the oak meadows were turned into farmland or Douglas fir trees encroached because the fir seedlings were no longer destroyed by fire. David Douglas, the botanist and explorer, first identified the Garry Oak in 1820.
If you have been following my blog for long, you will realize that I have been working on this painting for quite awhile. It is my first completed painting on calfskin vellum. I closely observed the tree through the seasons for a year, waiting for acorns to develop. I wrote a post about it here. Then I made some preliminary drawings and color testing, and then started the final painting on vellum. I hope to do a series of paintings on vellum of twigs from Pacific Northwest trees and shrubs, but for now its back to the Douglas fir cone that I started a couple of months ago. I’ll tell you more about it soon.
Do oaks grow where you live? If so, what kind?
This blog is about my journey as a botanical artist--what I am learning, what inspires me and what I am currently drawing or painting. My desire is to continually hone my skills to better express my wonder and gratitude for the beauty of the creation around me in the Pacific Northwest (USA).
I love acorns!! There aren’t any Oak trees in Central Oregon where I live, but I remember the Oak trees in central California that were spectacular in their reach and their stately pose on the hillsides. They were one of my favorites! I will have to take notice of the Garry Oak when I come to Portland! I’m sure I’ve seen them before, but we take so for granted what we see so often! I see with new eyes, the beauty in nature when I look at your art work!
Thank you Janene!
Gail, You’ve described them well, “spectacular in their reach” and “stately pose”! Oaks have character, don’t they? I take so much for granted too but studying the plants in order to draw and paint them helps me to see them and appreciate them in a new way. I am happy that they affect you that way too! xox
It’s come out beautifully!
No oaks here in Oman, but definitely in UK. I sketched some oak leaves when visiting last October.(which I see you commented on). Longer acorns than yours though so I assume a diferent variety.
Thanks Sue! I bet you have really different and interesting plants in Oman. I love the venerable oaks of the UK.
Janene, this is exquisite! It makes me want to reach out and touch the leaves. I’m eager to see your next Douglas Fir paintings on vellum, too.
Thank you Vicky! I am having a lot of fun with the Fir cone painting. Will try to post an update next week.
We live in a sandy low lying area….I have mainly water oaks, and ‘scrub oaks’…such as turkey oaks in our yard. My neighbors wonder why I leave the native scrubby, not-so majestic looking oaks in my yard, but I rather like them…and turkey oaks have charming acorns. Of course, further south in Savannah, the beautiful live oaks leave all our visitors in awe!
Enjoyed reading about the process of your Garry Oak illustration.