I went looking for the name in the encyclopedia, I still have and use a set of them, and it wasn’t there. Christmas 2004 found my wife Joy and I in Victoria. We spent a glorious holiday with our son, daughter and grandchildren. It was a family holiday season to be remembered.
A couple of days after Christmas we all went for a walk to Summit Park, not far from my daughter’s home. A quick climb to the top of the hill and we were there. Like some fantasyland of twisted trees, we found ourselves walking in what is apparently a very special place. These trees are rare, so rare that they aren’t even in the encyclopedia. In fact there’s even a Society that guards and protects them. This tangle of branches was leafless, but caught my attention simply because of the geometry of it all. Gnarled like the work of some talented Bonsai master, these trees had held court over the community below for perhaps hundreds of years. The cold winter air and clear skies only enhanced their delicate filigree as they reached distorted wooden arms skyward.
The next day I returned to the hilltop, alone. Bundled against the cold, with camera in hand, I wandered and waited. As the sun set it brushed its dazzling hues on the coarse bark of the trees before me. For perhaps five minutes the light show entertained. Then it was gone. I returned home to Gibsons and early in 2005 I tackled the thousands of twigs and branches of just one of these stately trees. For me this image will always remind me of the perfect Christmas in Victoria. For you see, as I had waited alone on the hill that day for the Creator to paint my tree, I had counted my blessing. That fantasyland provided me with time to consider my most valuable treasures. I gave thanks for my health, family and friends and snapped my picture that would become a touchstone painting for me.
Oh, the title! I guess I’d better explain. These rare trees, that aren’t even listed in an encyclopedia, are called Garry Oaks, thus the title – GARRY AS THE SUN GOES DOWN.
