Realm of the Mystic Griffin

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INK SPOTS; Poetry written by Tree Pruitt (in addition to other writing throughout this site).

*Background image on this page is derived from Tree's painting of the Columbia River Gorge.

Summery & Statement

 A piece, for Tree, generally begins with a concept or phrase -- a collection of words that grabs a hold upon the artist. Then, an exploration of the meaning & implications of those words generate a series of emotional responses in mental pictures, (the mind eye). From there the artist further develops the concept through a pattern of internal conversation or concept sketches. The goal of the final outcome is to respond, in which ever media best applies, to questions raised and/or cause the viewers to discover the concept for themselves.

 After receiving numerous awards & recognition for her artistic skills early in life, Tree chose to follow a path of her own making. Being a child of the 1970's, she decided to focus on integrating her interests in science, the arts, & pop culture. Tree has read countless books on philosophy, archeology, psychology, anatomy, mysticism, sociology, & other varied subjects. Those topics were then combined with the study of art history and technique. She has also been able to observe & learn from rare film footage of many modern masters at work. This has allowed Tree to incorporate the masters’ methods into her own efforts. With observation, practice, & the devotion of a lifetime, this artist’s goal is to achieve a style that speaks to the soul.

 I am entirely self-educated. My formal education in the arts goes no further than basic elementary school, in truth. What knowledge I carry has been obtained through years of contemplation and simply... effort. At my former home in the upper Pacific Northwest, I retreated to a world of art alone for seven years of intensive, self induced study. I create because I feel I must and offer works for sale in order to create more art. Images are often arenas for my own contemplation of a thought or an emotional out-pouring. My angst, when present, is balanced by an unstoppable optimism and unending curiosity.
  It's my curiosity and need for expression that make me paint. Images and ideas run rampant through my mind -- I seldom sleep. I think I might have first began to paint in order to be cleared of the chaos. I have fun with creativity and most enjoy re-creating objects from everyday life through sculpture, assemblage, and folk art activities. But I always go back to paint.

If you don't like my paintings, I will still paint. If no one ever buys another, then I'll let the canvas' pile up. Take away my paints and brushes and I will moisten the soil to decorate the wall of a cave. It's an addiction, therapy, and communion with the Divine all wrapped inside shapes, textures and brushes. Discovering methods for teaching myself to release my thoughts through art and share them, wasn't entirely a choice, nor was it an easy task. But for some reason it's a more worthwhile activity to me than just about anything else.
  Artistic expression is a human need and being able to create connects me to my species proper. Painting, like no other activity, seems to allow my sub-conscience mind to speak with an external voice. Very often a negative frame of mind will transform through the paint into an attractive image -- without my having intended such a result -- and the transmutation is healing. My works often house symbols within the imagery -- observations offered in service to humanity perhaps -- an effort to aide my brothers and sisters on the journey -- or simply an opportunity to run my mouth about something that's ticked me off. How and why humans alone among the creatures of this planet are compelled to create, and the diversity of creation itself, are unending fascinations of mine.
  I just wanna make stuff and find fun!

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 * The artist as a vampire, from newspaper clipping.

Tree Pruitt has had a life long passion for the arts. She was born as Theresa Thornton in 1971, near the Great Serpent Mound State Park in Ohio. During her childhood she won many awards for her creative concepts and skill of execution, both inside the public school system and within private competition. Tree began to sell her paintings and drawings for others to enjoy as early as the age of nine years. Her earliest influences stemmed from the modern movements that dominated the 1970's and 80's.

 While in her teens she found herself living in Sarasota Florida. There, Tree had her first close encounter with fine arts at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The diversity of the collection within caused Tree to notice that the right combination of conflicts can create a harmonious pleasing balance rather than conflict alone. That balance is something the artist, to this day, seeks to achieve within her endeavors. Tree also gained her first glimpse into the symbolic world of surrealism at the Dali Museum, which helped foster her continuing interest in the use of symbols. Living among the circus folk in Sarasota provided many unique experiences for the artist, such as waking up with an elephant trunk nuzzling her face through the bedroom window and road side tight rope lessons. Witnessing uncommon sites, in addition to realizing the diversity of the ways in which people live, all began to be reflected in Tree's artistic expressions. She then began to use sketch books, recording her observations and learning from them. During this time she continued to casually produce and sell works, by request, on into her early twenties. Always having had a propensity for learning, in 1990 she began to focus – with earnest – on educating herself in the fine arts.

 Over the years, through her diverse travels, the artist managed to place herself in situations that allowed for close contact with wildlife from around the world. Circus', public and private zoos, and exotic pet stores were all used as classrooms for Tree to study animal behavior and anatomy, then to draw or paint from what she'd learned. Having admired the scientific and observational skills of researchers such as George Schaller, Jane Goodall, George Anderson, and Cynthia Moss, Tree combined her interests in nature, science, and the arts. She worked almost exclusively with wildlife in her creations for seven years, later adding New-Age philosophy and symbolism to the combination.

 In 1997 Tree moved to the upper Pacific Northwestern United States to begin intensive self-induced study of art history and methods. Her focus of observation shifted from wildlife to the human condition. Working with life studies, countless hours of film footage of masters at work, and the vast resources of the local public library system, has allowed Tree to develop her skills and express her desire to communicate visually. Having moved to Hoquiam Washington from Cincinnati Ohio had removed Tree from all that was familiar. She utilized this sense of isolation to further develop her spirituality as well as her focus on art. She studied also the works of Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, and John Burroughs, as well as others. Her artworks during this time expressed a discussion of mans relationship to the Divine. This effort has produced a body of unconventional nature & spiritually themed works.

 While living there, off scenic highway 101, Tree held showings at her live- in studio two to three times a year. Her major influences during this stage of life came from the late nineteenth and early twentieth century spiritual abstractions. Alchemical texts and artists such as Gauguin, Suzanne Duchamp, Kupka, Munch, and Hilma AF Klint were studied heavily by Tree. Her interest in theosophy and painting naturally led her to Wassily Kandinsky. Tree took a special interest in the study of his life, writings, and art. After Tree began to work more often with three dimensional objects she studied the works of artists such as Marcel Duchamp to try to gain an understanding of how the public relates to such types of art. Through out all stages of her life Tree has allowed herself to be influenced by both Picasso and Matisse. 

   "Crossroads Warning", multi-media painting by Tree Pruitt that warns of the events in New York City on 9-11. Currently housed in the private collection of the artist.

 The events of 9-11 offered Tree with yet another uncommon experience. Not having a television at the time, the artist had only the National Public Radio service on which to rely on that crushing day. Based on the descriptions from the radio, Tree began to produce the first, in a series, of intentionally sociopolitical paintings. Quite some time passed before she was able to actually see the results of that fateful day upon the city of New York. Not having witnessed the events that effected the world so deeply created for Tree a sense of separation from society. This sensation, and the events in total, caused her to explore the concept of communication and it's varied forms, within art. Many of her works during this time, and up to today, involve the direct use of the written word and images inspired by sound and social history. 

Having recently returned to her former home in Ohio, Tree finally embraced technology and obtained a computer in order to offer her efforts to a wider audience. She continues her varied studies and searches for a modern visual mythology of her own making.

 "Radio Description" 2' x 4' multi-media painting by Tree Pruitt of the events in New York City on 9-11, based entirely upon descriptions from radio news reports. Currently housed in the private collection of the artist.

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