October 26th, 2014

Behind the Mind: Atlas Tree 

"Atlas Tree" - Sean O'Brien

---

For almost a year, my mind was in an artistic rut. However, I have been pursuing new skills in creative writing; particularly poetry and fiction. It wasn't until late of June in 2013 when I took short walks through the Rail Trail close by the town New Paltz, I would be immersed in its surrounding nature. 
By an edge of the river, I noticed a fairly large tree with a thick stump, which looked like it featured a an agonized face by the stump. I mentioned it to a friend of mine, and mused of making a drawing based from such an idea. I thought I would not have followed up on "Atlas Tree." So .... 

.... As for the process, I paid attention with the details of my work, especially with the pieces on the tree and played around. This was my first work of art where I began to really make use of the stroke option for my outlines. It may not look like much, but it was a good start. 
I used Adobe Illustrator CS4 and experimented with what I could do with the pen tool. On the lines and curves inside the tree, notice how thin most of them are. Only the face, the shoulder, and the arm, have slightly thicker strokes. Making such little differences between details can give a flat 2D work of art a hint of depth.

Summer in the Wallkill Rail Trail. New Paltz, NY

A flooded Wallkill River by the Rail Trail looking out at the Mohonk Mountains. New Paltz, NY