There is something intriguing to me about the beauty of trees, and the unique character that each of them have. I've doodled a few others over the years, as can be seen here, here, here and here. But I've never done an olive tree. Olive trees are unique in that they can grow in the roughest terrain and undergo severe pruning, dunging, forming and cutting and yet still thrive. In fact, it is the constant and watchful eye of the Master of the Vineyard, and his ever present arboreal husbandry that continues to push the tree to yield a desirable crop. I think there is meaning and significant symbolism in that. Sometimes the very pruning that we undergo in this life that come in the form of disappointment, challenges, adversity, are the very things that push us to produce our best selves, letting the unimportant stuff slough off, leaving what matters most.
Here is the envelope that I sent off today:
