“People aren’t the apex species they think they are. Other creatures-bigger, smaller, slower, faster, older, younger, more powerful-call the shots, make the air, and eat sunlight. Without them, nothing.” From The Overstory by Richard Powers
I have been drawn to trees all my life and have photographed them extensively over the years. (see the Nocturnes and The Murmur prints) After reading The Overstory now I know why; Trees are incredibly social and wise beings yet humans are somehow far too ignorant to grasp this scientific fact. No one dares to ask why after a walk in the woods they feel better. It’s because you’re with living social beings who contain a quarter of your genetic makeup. They are your family and you should treat them that way.
I was very luck to see Árbol del Tule (The Tree of Tule). It is a tree located on the grounds the town center of Santa María del Tule in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is a Montezuma cypress (Taxodium mucronatum), or ahuehuete (meaning “old man of the water” in Nahuatl). The age is at least 3,000 years. It has the stoutest (widest) trunk of any tree in the world. (The next widest tree is a Giant Sequoia with a 8.98 m (29.5 ft) diameter). The DNA was tested to confirm it is one living being and not a group of trees. In 2001 it was placed on a UNESCO tentative list of World Heritage Sites. This tree gives off an immense amount of energy and no doubt why a chapel was built right next to it.
The Tree of Tule is still growing…
How to recognize an Art Scam.. It all started with this message on my web site:
“Hello There,
My name is Jackson Banks from Washington DC. I actually observed my wife has been viewing your website on my laptop and i guess she likes your piece of work. I’m also impressed and amazed to have seen your various works too, You are doing a great job. I would like to purchase Two of your Artworks “NOCTURNE #6 & 12”, as a surprise to my wife on our anniversary. Also, let me know if you accept Check as mode of Payment. “
Thanks and best regards
Jackson.
jacksonbanks79@yahoo.com . (or jacksonbanks1302@gmail.com )
Hi Jackson!
These are large works and two of my favorites. Give me your number and let’s talk about it.
Thomas Brummett
Dear Thomas,
“Thanks for the message, For now i can Only be reach
via Email, My computer will alert me as soon as i have an
incoming emails.. I must tell you I intend to give my wife a
surprise with the immediate purchase of the two piece. Also
If you’d like to know, I’m relocating to Canada soon
and our wedding anniversary is fast approaching. So I’m
trying to gather some good stuff to make this event a
surprise one. I am buying those piece as part of gifts to
her (quickly before someone else grabs it). Kindly email me
the asking price for both piece asap. I’ll be sending a
check. As regarding shipping, you don’t have to worry
about that in order not to leave any clue to my wife for the
surprise. as soon as you receive and cash the check, my
shipping agent (who is also moving my Truck and Properties)
will contact you to arrange for the pick-up. I would have
handled this much differently if I’d been at home but at
the moment, am on training voyage to the North Atlantic
Ocean, (I’m a Civil Marine Engineer) with new hires who
are fresh from graduate school and won’t be back for
another couple of weeks.”
Regards,
Jackson Banks.
So this was the big tip off… Can’t talk on the phone ( always get a phone number) Further email showed the shipping guy would be paid by artist via an overpayment from the check. ( How they make money)
Long Story short…. I engaged the guy and let him spend money to send me a check.. ( I made him overnight it) When I got the check I had to laugh as this guy is apparently a complete Moron. (Don’t ever deposit these checks as its a federal offense). I just called the company (or the bank) to confirm funds.
Honored to to have my work in a lovely group exhibition with some amazing artists titled: “Embodied Landscape”
at GALERIE KARSTEN GREVE PARIS CÔTÉ RUE showing Gideon Rubin, Georgia Russell, Sergio Vega, Lawrence Carroll, Ma Jun and Thomas Brummett
January 26 – February 27. 2019
https://www.galerie-karsten-greve.com/en
4 works available in the Exhibition can be seen here:
https://www.studio-4a.com/-/ttrdp/fine-art-prints/the-murmur-of-a-thousand-suns
Edition 1/3, Signature on Recto (bottom and in white oil paint)
New Work
38.36 x 26.36 in. // 97,4 x 66.95 cm (photograph only)
Frame : 130,25 x 99 cm
Silver Gelatin Print
Also 35 X52.5″ / 89x133cm
Installation study for Untitled #11. Zen meets Zen in this installation study for my Untitled #11 photograph from the Nature Morte Series. Thanks to #studiobrentlee for the gorgeous interior design.