Tree of Life - the Baobab
Graphite, 18"x24"
In the dry African savannah the baobab provides food, water and even shelter to animals and people. It is a huge tree that can measure up to 80 ft. tall and 50 ft. in circumference.
There are many legends about the baobab. An Arab legend says, "the Devil plucked up the baobab, thrust its branches into the earth and left its roots in the air."
An old story from the country of Togo: Long ago there was a village king who announced that "he who, with a single arrow, can pierce this baobab tree clear through will have my precious daughter in marriage." The king didn't want his daughter to marry and he knew this feat would be impossible. Elephant tried and failed. And so did Lion, Buffalo and Hippo. Then Salim, the tricky hare had an idea. He asked Wizi the Borer Insect, to bore a hole through the tree. Then he asked Spider to hide the holes with his webs. Salim made a fine thin arrow. They all laughed at Salim. But that tricky hare released his tiny arrow, it passed though the spider webs and through the baobab to the other side.
That's how Salim the hare managed to marry the beautiful village princess and gain the respect of the village.
An old story from the country of Togo: Long ago there was a village king who announced that "he who, with a single arrow, can pierce this baobab tree clear through will have my precious daughter in marriage." The king didn't want his daughter to marry and he knew this feat would be impossible. Elephant tried and failed. And so did Lion, Buffalo and Hippo. Then Salim, the tricky hare had an idea. He asked Wizi the Borer Insect, to bore a hole through the tree. Then he asked Spider to hide the holes with his webs. Salim made a fine thin arrow. They all laughed at Salim. But that tricky hare released his tiny arrow, it passed though the spider webs and through the baobab to the other side.
That's how Salim the hare managed to marry the beautiful village princess and gain the respect of the village.
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| © Vicki Malone, 2011 |
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Before the Fall
Powdered Graphite 24"x18"
Is the apple going to fall? That's for you to decide. But we all know that after the Fall nothing was ever the same. The apple was the forbidden fruit.
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| © Vicki Malone, 2008 |
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Green Man I
20"x15" colored pencil
The Green Man’s face is surrounded by or made up of foliage and plants. This archetypal image is found in many cultures and symbolizes vitality and the cycle of death and rebirth in nature. In Western Europe, especially in Britain and Ireland, medieval stonemasons carved Green Man images on churches, perhaps as a way of melding the pagan Celtic belief with Christianity.
20"x15" colored pencil
The Green Man’s face is surrounded by or made up of foliage and plants. This archetypal image is found in many cultures and symbolizes vitality and the cycle of death and rebirth in nature. In Western Europe, especially in Britain and Ireland, medieval stonemasons carved Green Man images on churches, perhaps as a way of melding the pagan Celtic belief with Christianity.
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| © Vicki Malone, 2010 |
Green Man II
15" by 24" colored pencil
15" by 24" colored pencil
Some of the plants included in Green Man sculptures have pre-Christian meaning and continue to hold special significance for the British and Irish people:
Holly - Represents the cold winter realm Oak - Symbolizes the green, warm realm Ivy - Determination and patience Mistletoe - Life and fertility.
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| © Vicki Malone, 2010 See more of Vicki's work on the Studio 155 website or her website. |
