Black Walnut Tree Goddess

There is an old black walnut tree living in my backyard. She is magnificent with arms that reach up to the sky with old brown crooked fingers and rough grey-brown bark all over her. She looses all her leaves in the fall and is the last tree in the spring to sprout green leafy fingers. Black squirrels chase up and down her body competing for her walnuts, arguing with each other. Crows love to perch in her branches, watching my every action while telling me what to do. Black walnut tree is old and wise – a crone tree. I painted Her, the being who is Black Walnut Tree Goddess. Her face peeks through the bark; Her arms are branches.

Acrylic on canvas. @2009 Annette Wagner.

Black Walnut Tree Goddess prints and cards available through Fine Arts America.