Ode to a Mother Tree

A beautiful book is coming soon...

Lavish, lichen-draped,
Sporting sleeves of moss, these trees
Pulse with plush, lush life.

The above is an excerpt from Jamie Bastedo's beautiful story, a long form poetic narrative, about a cedar tree. I was privileged to illustrate the story with about 40 digital paintings. All of the pieces were created on an iPad with the remarkable Procreate art app. Jamie and I are also privileged to be published by the venerable Canadian publisher Fitzhenry & Whiteside, part of Sutherland House. Here's Jamie's description of the book:

After springing from the ashes of a catastrophic forest fire, can one tiny seedling cling to life long enough to flourish into its full potential? As intimate as it is universal, this lyrical yet science-based coming-of-age story about the making of a Mother Tree follows one tree’s craving for connection over the span of a millennium. Chronicled through stark, stirring text fused with vivid, spellbinding artwork, the singular life of one Western red cedar tree serves as a living bridge between worlds, across cultures, and beyond time as we know it.

To be released Summer 2026 by Fitzhenry & Whiteside!

Home / Ode to a Mother Tree