Artist Statement
As a young artist I could never follow step-by-step guides and the repetition of basic drawing rules seemed to do little for me. What I sought was something that could unlock new understanding. I remember first learning the physics of light, how it reflects off a surface—this fundamentally shifted my entire perspective towards the world around me, and I began to truly feel like I was building the mind of an artist. Through time and experience these feelings have become rarer, but the learning never ends.
In creating this guide, my hope is to provide even the smallest breakthrough moment, regardless of age or experience level. While I acknowledge that much of the information here is not revolutionary and will be familiar to many, I hold onto the belief that at least one person will find genuine value within these pages.
The decision to focus on trees for this lesson felt as though it was meant to be. I couldn't imagine a more powerful or fitting subject. The sheer size, enduring strength, and ancient history held within the twisted forms of old trees are beyond human comprehension. Trees are natural storytellers, capable of holding narratives both externally and internally, making them an incredible tool for narrative art. While their compositional possibilities are endless, offering a few starting points can encourage more confident and creative uses in future works. By sharing a glimpse into my own artistic process, I aim to show how and why trees are so central to my paintings.
Inspiring the next young artist is a hopeful and lofty goal to have. This opportunity for me to emphasize the lessons I have learned and to give back some of my accumulated wisdom, however modest, for the next artist to discover is one that I’m very grateful for.
Emelia Feldman
