I walk and run amongst trees while foraging and collecting. At home, I spend time experimenting with the finds, as well as learning about tree lore. Much of what I am sharing today is from that world of mine – photos, quilting, pigment making, as well as another set of Simple365 b&w photos of my everyday life.
Simple 365 – Set 14
A set of Simple365 photos from a year of everyday black and white photos. Time had rolled into October during this set. That is the time I can finally head outside after spending long months at home.
That year though, it was different. So all the photos are from around the home. Things that remind me to be happy.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. That way I can relive my journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.
Right around that time, I hurt my right hand so badly that I could not hold a pencil for more than 2 minutes. The thought of permanently losing the ability to draw made me afraid enough to start drawing using my left hand. I could do the large shapes, but no detail work. Thankfully, after much time and effort, I got the use of my right hand back.
Many, many months later, The Dragon and His Boy became a painting. By that time I had started making my own books.
This was the very first 3″ x 4″ book I made. This shade of green spoke to me of old lands with tree and dragon lore. The first painting of the Dragon and his Boy is special. I painted it with the inks I got for my birthday.
This little boy can befriend dragons very easily. While everyone else thinks he has special powers of making dragons listen to him, he would tell you that it is he who listens to them. Dragons always have such fascinating stories to tell.
I am never short of ideas when it comes to dragons and trees. Add a dragon to a tree and I came up with The Dragon And The Tree painting along with a little budding story in my head.
Read how I painted this one here –
There is a beautiful rugged park where I live. I love going there for long walks that are interspersed with short runs. My park visits have come to a halt for now due to severe allergies. In the fall and winter months though, I make the most of my time there. This magnificent oak tree has always greeted me.
We had a few major winter storms here. When I visited afterward, I was very sad to see the fallen tree. Around here in the parks, we usually keep the trees where they fall so wildlife and plants can continue to grow around it. There is some comfort in that knowledge. The sky was full of dramatic light that day, and I couldn’t help but take of a photo of this tree. Still beautiful, but in a different way.
At home, I spend my time working with things that I collect during my time outside. After extensive experiments with making pigments from flowers, I turned my focus onto things that have tannin in them.
Our backyard redwood tree sheds cones very readily. I started off with using them to make pigment. Eventually, the experiments turned toward finding out effects of pH and iron on tannin-based pigments.
I also made pigments from dye that I had previously made using walnut husks from our black walnut tree. So now I have five beakers full of tannin-based pigments in the works. I am keeping notes of each step. I love to play and tinker.
I am also making major progress on my Garden Path quilt. I finished sewing all the blocks together, but then got stuck trying to find the “just right” fabric for the rest of the quilt.
I love Morris Brown designs, and was delighted when I found out that they are available as fabrics. The whole quilt was inspired by visiting gardens in England and Scotland. I couldn’t think of a more fitting set of fabrics to finish off my quilt.
I got honeysuckle for the border, oak for the back, and poppy for the binding. The backing is pieced, the batting has arrived, and I am ready to put it all together.
This painting of the Girl and Her Cat is from a book that is solely about their journey through a world of trees and flowers. I really love how close they are sitting together under that large tree, admiring the bluebells.
Trees have always created a place of solitude and comfort for me. I can’t imagine my life without them. I am just a girl who really loves her trees (and mountains. Preferably together). I hope you get to spend a little time with them regularly as well.
-Soma
P.S. I hurt my shoulder. My replies to the comments and visiting you back might be a bit delayed due to that. I apologize.
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them. Hosts of linky parties – please grab a photo of you choice for your party. Thank you for hosting!
35 thoughts on “Little Stories – A Girl Who Loves Trees”
Sarah MumofThree World June 4, 2026 at 22:51
It must have been very scary thinking you were going to lose the use of your right hand. I’m very glad you recovered!
I love your paintings of the boy and the dragons, as well as the girl and the cat.
Lisa June 4, 2026 at 19:26
wow! so much beautiful creativity. The paintings are beautiful! And you quilt too? That is crazy!
I hope your shoulder feels better soon.
Marsha Banks June 4, 2026 at 18:41
From one tree lover to another, I’m so glad your hand has healed. I loved reading about your different processes and art. Thanks, also, for linking up at Weekend Traffic Jam Reboot!
Divya June 2, 2026 at 23:41
I stared at your painted tree for a long time. It is such a beautiful piece of work. It’s so full of life! Love the colors!
Nice to see the girl and the cat, and the dragon among the Sierra granites. <3 And it was so nice to read about your experiments with your finds and pigment-making. It must be so fascinating to try doing different things and watch the outcomes.
Btw, that quilt looks so neat.
Sweet photographs as always, Soma.
Take care of your shoulder. :)
rainbow evening June 2, 2026 at 17:00
nice story with beautiful paintings … love it.
# Hope, your injuries will recovery soon….
Chrissy Townsend June 2, 2026 at 05:02
Well, hello! First, I am sorry about your shoulder and hope it heals and recovers quickly!
Secondly, when you mentioned your right hurt in the past and tried to draw with your left and showed your drawing…. Like I can’t even do that with my right! Lol!! You are so talented! I love that you play around making your pigments!
Loved my visits and lovely BW photos.
Alycia June 1, 2026 at 11:05
So glad yor right hand healed, but so amazing that you could use your left for the time being. That tree was amazing, I hope that it becomes amazing again
Steph@CrazyLittleLovebirds May 31, 2026 at 22:03
Soma, I’m so sorry to hear about your injuries. I hope that the healing process goes smoothly for you. Your drawings are always so beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare May 30, 2026 at 15:24
I’m sorry to hear that happened to your hand, Soma. That must have been really frightening. I’m glad to hear it has recovered. I like your Girl and her Cat painting and I absolutely love your dragons. I also enjoyed seeing your photos and the alchemy underway in your pigment jars :)
Bleubeard and Elizabeth May 30, 2026 at 10:58
So sorry to read about your injury. I love the painting of the girl and cat by the tree and the dragon. Happy AFFF.
Mary May 30, 2026 at 07:30
It’s always fun to see all that interests you – nature, travel, art and quilting. I think sometimes an injury makes us realize how blessed we are. It certainly makes me appreciate what I tend to take for granted. I’m glad yours was temporary.
jeanie May 30, 2026 at 06:50
I always enjoy seeing your beautiful art and the various ways in which you express yourself — painting/drawing/photography and quilting. And now also your natural ingredient color experiments. It’s really fun to see all you do and inspiring too.
tomthebackroadstraveller May 30, 2026 at 04:47
…some old rugged tree look like giant bonsai. Thye are inspiring. Take care and be well.
Amy Johnson May 30, 2026 at 03:54
That’s so sad the tree got hurt in the storm. Your quilt is amazing! The detail is just stunning.
Eileen May 30, 2026 at 01:50
Hello Soma,
I am so sorry to hear you hurt your hand so badly, I am glad you recovered and are back to normal.
Love your art, the Girl with her cat and the dragon images are awesome.
I love tree and am sorry when they fall. Great post.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend.
PS, I also appreciate the comment you left for me.
Veronica Lee May 29, 2026 at 19:17
So sorry you were hurt.
I hope you’ll be feeling better soon.
The tree photos are really lovely, though the fallen ones make me sad.
Your artwork is beautiful as always, Soma.
Connie Griffin May 29, 2026 at 18:02
Sorry to hear about your injured shoulder, hope it starts feeling better very soon. Great pics, like your lego scene, we have a few of their Christmas sets we put out :) Your dragon scenes are very neat. So glad your hand healed.
It is such a shame about that tree dying, it was pretty cool looking. Yes when we went out west and it was all rocky and not much trees I told hubby I sure miss our trees from back home.
I love your quilt it is just beautiful, nice you found fabrics so you can finish it.
Being a cat love you know I like the girl and cat sitting under the tree :)
Linda May 29, 2026 at 13:55
So sorry you were injured. I truly hope you will heal well and soon. Wonderful post and lovely photos and beautiful artwork.
Photo Cache May 29, 2026 at 13:04
Those tree shots are incredible. I love going for a walk and seeking out lonesome trees on the hillside.
Worth a Thousand Words
Linda May 29, 2026 at 12:13
Sad about the tree, but lovely art and quilt.. I was thinking the other day about losing the ability to draw/paint/craft if my hands got so bad with arthritis, then yesterday I was thinking about eyes because they quite fuzzy. So glad your hand got better, now for your shoulder…
Cat May 29, 2026 at 11:13
I’m very glad your hand healed.
What a lovely post although the fallen tree made me a little sad, but that’s the circle of life.
And of course I love the dragons!
Nicole/DVArtist May 29, 2026 at 10:58
I’ve always been impressed with your art but now making your own pigment. I love it. My mom made her own as well. Both types look very good. This would be the perfect post for Sunday in the Art Room. Have a nice day today.
lapaylor May 29, 2026 at 07:05
so good… I love trees too
your paint book is beautiful
LeeAnna
TerryK May 29, 2026 at 06:22
That oak tree continues to be amazing! I loved your boy and dragon story. . .especially the part about listening! Your quilt progress is awesome. I’m glad you regained the use of your right hand. I hope your shoulder heals quickly!
Gillena May 29, 2026 at 05:21
Soma , Happy Friday
Thanks for linking to AFFF
much love
Christine May 29, 2026 at 04:59
Lovely art and photos. Get better soon so sorry.
Erika May 29, 2026 at 04:14
Sorry to read about your sore shoulder, but I was fascinated by your pigment experiments. It’s so fun to try things and see where they take you, isn’t it? The cloche says curiosity killed the cat, but I don’t believe that. I think curiosity keeps us young. And your paintings are lovely, both of them. Plus those tree photos. Wow! They are dramatic. I hope the should heals quickly. hugs-Erika
Jim, Sydney, Australia May 29, 2026 at 03:39
Beautiful.
Dixie May 29, 2026 at 03:04
Beautiful artwork, Soma. I love the girl and her cat sitting under the tree.
Wonderful colourful pigments from flowers. The tannin based pigments
look interesting.
Always sad to witness a tree fall, but good that they allow the fall to
remain to help all wildlife.
Enjoy the weekend.
handmade by amalia May 29, 2026 at 01:44
So much imagination and art here, a wonderful post.
Amalia
xo
Barbara May 28, 2026 at 22:35
Lovely!
Peter B. May 28, 2026 at 17:52
What a gorgeous giant oak tree, and sad to see it’s decline after the storm. Beautiful and dramatic skies!
an artist reflects May 28, 2026 at 16:23
I adore the Little Girl and Her Cat, Trees and all your BW photos are wonderful ~ A boy and his dragon is delightful ~ such creativity all in one place ~ Hugs ^_^
Joanne May 28, 2026 at 08:16
Beautiful artwork as always– in the paintings, the photographs, and the quilt work. So thankful you regained the use of your dominant hand. I can’t imagine teaching myself to draw/paint with my left hand.
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal May 28, 2026 at 04:39
Your photos of the oak tree are breathtaking! I am eager to see your Garden Path finish, love the fabrics and the look of the beautiful blocks.
Have you watched the series Game of Thrones? The dragons in it are not as docile as The Boy’s dragon appears. Still, I have sympathy even for the mean dragons!
Love your thoughts about trees. When we moved from our acreage in a National Forest to north Texas in 2020, the one thing we thought we would not miss was pine trees and all the “mess”. Yet that is what we miss now! I mostly miss the cottonwoods, oaks, poplars, and redbuds from my childhood in northeastern Oklahoma. When I think of my childhood, the big cottonwood between our farmhouse and the next door neighbor is the one I miss the most.