Maria Rizzo 3/8/15 Maria Rizzo 3/8/15

The Story behind the 'Unknown Tree'

This week I highlight the story of Bryan and his photo of a unknown tree in Oran, NY. He is one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

I asked Bryan to share with us who he is, what he does for a living, what are some of his hobbies, why was he compelled to photograph this scene, if he knew what type of trees they are and how did he found out about this challenge. Here it's his response:

Bryan Hills, 64, born in DeRuyter--live in Jamesville, now retired--formerly customer service supervisor for Crouse Hinds in Syracuse, like golf, walking, building wood projects, being outdoors.

I have passed by this tree many times, at different times of the year, it always caught my attention, I look forward to seeing the changes in its appearance every time I go by.

The picture was taken on March 23, 2014. The tree is located in a field on the east side of Oran-Delphi Rd, about 4 miles from Oran, NY. I do not know the type of tree, as far as meaning, the tree just always intrigued me.

I found out about the challange when you had your art showing at the Half Moon bakery in Jamesville. My wife and I brought our brother and sister in law to view your paintings. We had met you at the parade of homes in Jamesville.

The making of the 'Unknown Tree'

I chose to paint this tree from Oran, NY because I loved its dancing shape against the beautiful winter colors of the background. if you think you know what type of tree this is, don't hesitate to let me know, actually, I would love to find out!

Below you will find the development of this painting:

The final piece is a 24x30" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas finished in February 2015.

Unknown Tree, 24x30" acrylic on canvas, 2015 by Maria Rizzo.

Maria Rizzo 2/17/15 Maria Rizzo 2/17/15

The Story behind the 'Willow Tree'

This week I will highlight the story of Steven Marrone, one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

1. Describe yourself: name, age, location, what do you do for a living and what are some of your hobbies? Steven Marrone, 32, Syracuse. Job: Owner- Steven Marrone Painting. Hobbies: Hiking, Oil Painting, Photography

2. Why did you choose to photograph this particular tree/ trees? This particular tree is amazing to see in person. There are just so many angles to capture. Each shot can portray many different emotions. The bark has so much depth, that if you stare at a section, your eyes will play tricks on you.

3. What time of the year was it? Summer

4- What is the exact location of this tree? The tree is located in Burnet Park right behind the swimming pool. 43.0406524,-76.185678

5 - Do you know the type of tree you have captured? Does this tree have a particular meaning to you? Willow. This is my favorite tree to stare up at and take photos. Each photo is so different.

6 - How did you find out about this challenge? Social media

The making of 'Willow Tree'

Below you will see the step by step development of this acrylic painting.

The finished painting, below, I hope you like it!

This project is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

~ Maria Rizzo

Maria Rizzo 1/29/15 Maria Rizzo 1/29/15

The Story behind 'Trees on Franklin'

Plume Street, Syracuse, NY by Ray Trudell.

This week I will highlight the story of one the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an Interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

I asked Ray Trudell to share with us who he is, what he does for a living, what are some of his hobbies, why was he compelled to photograph these scene, if he knew what type of trees they are and how did he found out about this challenge. Here it's his response:

"I’m 60 years old and live in Solvay now, however I have lived in Central New York all my life. I work in a paper plant on the corrugator that produces corrugated boxes. My hobbies are photography, reading, and writing poetry to go with some of my photographs. When I retire I hope to do more in the arts. This photograph happens to be an old favorite of mine that was taken in Franklin Square. The street is Plume St. and was on a Sunday morning just after a snow storm in February. While having coffee at Freedom of Expresso I was asked if I had my camera with me because the snow looked so beautiful. That’s when I went out and shot the picture. I know that two of the trees are Marigold, but I’m not sure what the trees are that line the street. I know that they have beautiful flowers in the spring and that the leaves are the last to fall in the autumn. I seen a posting on facebook and thought that this would be a very nice thing to be a part of."

- Ray Trudell

The making of 'Trees on Franklin'

What I found striking about Ray Trudell's photo was the unbelievable beauty of the tree in the foreground and its dancing shape against a spectacular urban winter wonderland's background. This is the very 1st painting I started in 2014 for the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge and probably the most difficult to paint due to the amount of details and me being a perfectionist... which is a curse, really! I'm glad I took my time with this piece and I hope you do enjoy it, too. Trees on Franklin is a 24x30x1.5" acrylic on canvas that I painted in April and May and finished in December, 2014.

~ Maria Rizzo

MARIA RIZZO

Trees, Lands & Dreams | Art Blogger #theartistspath | Art Educator | From Italy 🇮🇹🇺🇸 |