New book finds art inspiration in trees

Mark Rydens Apology painting is included in the book. (MarkRyden.com)
Mark Ryden's 'Apology' painting is included in the book. (MarkRyden.com)

An art gallery owner who found inspiration in a Dr. Seuss bumper sticker is now selling her new coffee table book under a similar name.

‘Speak for the Trees’ is a visual and literary compilation, combining 76 world-renowned artists (David Hockney, Yoko Ono, Mark Ryden, Christo, Jeanne-Claude, Starn Brothers) with quotes from selected writers or visionaries (Einstein, Picasso, Lincoln, Thoreau and Bill Shakespeare).

The four-pound book costs $80 and is available via their Web site.

And in case everyone forgot where the inspiration for the book title came:

I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.

I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.

And I’m asking you, sir, at the top of my lungs.

Oh please do not cut down another one.

–Toshio Suzuki

Local tree clippings:

The Rock Creek Headwaters, part of the Tualatin River Watershed. (Metro)
The Rock Creek Headwaters, part of the Tualatin River Watershed. (Metro)

–Metro announced it bought 20 acres of the upper Rock Creek Headwaters, according to The Oregonian.

The headwaters, which border Forest Park to the west,  is part of the subwatershed boundary for the Tualatin River.

–The City of Vancouver announced this week it is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on its Urban Forestry Commission.

The seven-member advisory board meets monthly to “enhance the city by managing and conserving trees,” according to the press release.

There is no city residency requirement and applications must be received by Nov. 4.

Read More

Expert to unveil new tree guide at Powell’s

David Allen Sibley will speak at the original Powell’s Books tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. about his new Guide to Trees.

Powell’s event description: the man who revolutionized the field guide to birds now brings his formidable skills of identification and illustration to the more than 600 tree species of North America.

In his own words: “I tried to create an identification guide that would cover all of the trees in North America, native and commonly cultivated species.”

The visual guide features illustrations meticulously outlining tree details, including what twigs for a certain tree look like in different seasons.

Read Tree Curriculum to find out about other upcoming October events.

–TS