This woodblock print is based on my sketch of a bristlecone pine near White Mountains, in eastern California, now within the Inyo National Forest.
Growing just below the tree line in the harsh climate, bristlecone pine trees are the oldest living organisms on this planet. Known for their extraordinary longevity, they live thousands of years, mostly in the Southwestern states.
I love the Bristlecone pine's gnarly barks and sparse foliage. They are stubborn, uncompromising and tenacious, yet are so beautiful in their austerity. Their haunting, silent silhouette on the craggy slopes stirs our emotion and imagination, as the poet, Gary Snyder once wrote,
Up in the mountains that edge the Great Basin
it was whispered to me
by the oldest of trees.
By the Oldest of Beings
the Oldest of Trees
Bristlecone Pine….
Limited edition of 210 woodblock prints, made from hand-carved wood and linoleum blocks. 100% cotton, acid-free paper.
Frame Size: 13" x 23"