There are trees we remember all our lives. The old oak we climbed as children. A wind-shaped tree on a familiar stretch of coastline. The palms that immediately tell us we're somewhere warmer. Even a solitary tree standing in an open landscape can bring back a particular place or moment.
Perhaps that's why trees make such compelling subjects for art. They are familiar, yet no two are alike. Their shapes, textures and changing colours give artists endless possibilities, whether they're working with paint, etching plates or printmaking techniques.
At StateoftheART, our collection of original tree paintings and handmade prints brings together contemporary South African artists who see far more than branches and leaves. Some are drawn to the character of individual trees, others to the light and atmosphere of wooded landscapes. Each offers a different way of bringing a little of the natural world into our homes.
A Familiar Subject, Seen DifferentlyOne of the pleasures of collecting art is discovering how differently two artists can interpret the same subject.
Karen Wykerd's paintings invite us into richly observed natural settings, where trees contribute to a sense of place and the pleasure of being outdoors. Works such as
Among Trees and
Freedom to Roam have an intimacy that encourages you to spend time exploring the composition.
Janet Dirksen approaches trees and wooded landscapes with a very different energy. Colour, movement and expressive brushwork are central to her paintings, capturing the vitality of nature rather than describing every leaf and branch. Her larger canvases can bring a wonderful sense of life to a room.
Then there are the quieter moments, such as
Joanna Lee Miller's Palm With Moody Skies, where a tree becomes part of a landscape shaped by weather, light and atmosphere.
The subject may be familiar, but the experience of each painting is entirely its own.
The Particular Beauty of Trees in PrintmakingTree-inspired art is equally rewarding in the hands of a printmaker.
Laurel Holmes explores organic forms through etching and embossing, creating handmade prints with subtle textures and beautifully considered compositions. In works from her
Sentient and
Old Lore series, there is a sense of history and connection to the natural world that goes beyond straightforward representation.
Kitty Dörje brings a different sensibility to printmaking. Her silkscreen prints combine strong composition with a distinctive graphic quality, celebrating recognisable South African places and the natural forms that give them character.
For collectors, original handmade prints offer an appealing opportunity to enjoy the craftsmanship of printmaking. Each technique has its own character, from the fine lines and embossed surfaces of an etching to the crisp shapes and carefully layered colours of a silkscreen print.
Bringing Trees Into Your HomeYou don't need to live in the countryside to appreciate the pleasure of trees. A painting of a wooded landscape can bring warmth and a feeling of openness to a contemporary interior. A more expressive interpretation can introduce colour and movement, while a finely detailed print may be just the thing for a smaller wall where you can enjoy it up close. You may be drawn to a particular species, a landscape that reminds you of home or simply the way an artist has captured the changing light through foliage.
And while trees are a timeless subject, the artworks themselves can feel wonderfully contemporary. It is the artist's interpretation, rather than the subject alone, that gives each piece its individuality.
Explore our collection of original tree paintings, contemporary landscape art and handmade prints by
Karen Wykerd,
Janet Dirksen,
Joanna Lee Miller,
Laurel Holmes,
Kitty Dörje and other South African artists.
Whether you're looking for a statement painting for a living room or a smaller original print for a more intimate space, we hope you'll find a work that captures something of your own connection with trees and the places they grow.
