art-time-collective

Here are three images I almost entirely forgot about until I rediscovered them yesterday night. These were all made on Texada Island, in the fantastic home of An, Oscar and Seneca. In one of the washrooms in this house—the quaint middle-floor one that gets lots of sun—there is a corner with a sketch pad and some art supplies; this ought to be a washroom standard. Allow me to explain why.

Halfway into July, I came down with a gastrointestinal ailment of undetermined origin; I suspect it had something to a dirty water bottle that had been sitting in the sun all day, and with my decision to drink from it after a long and exhausting horseback ride—a decision I will never make again.

In any case, as a result of my delirious state, I was blessed with three full days of nothing but uncomfortable sleep, and long trips to the washroom.

The following three pieces are a result of my washroom art-times, and are not for the faint of heart.

Drawing #1: What is it you hear?

Drawing #2: Untitled, with eyes and bow tie by Seneca :P

Drawing #3: Attempts at a horse

Note my artists’ signature on the last drawing… right next to the horse wearing glasses and a fake mustache.

Questions and concerns will be addressed in short order.

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I have been searching for this tree species in Ontario for 4 years, so it is sort of a big deal to me that i finally found one.

Red Hickory (Carya ovalis syn. Carya glabra var. Odorata)

General: An uncommon Canadian Hickory species, official classification uncertain, easily confused with Pignut Hickory (see note). Canopy tree, capable of living 150 years. Found within the Carolinian zone in scattered locations throughout southern Ontario, along the south western shore of lake Ontario west to lake Huron.

Growth: Tree develops a tall, straight trunk often free of lower branches. Boughs numerous, ascending near the top and arching or drooping near the base of the crown, those in the center nearly horizontal. Trunk often continues the entire height of the tree, occasionally separating into large, diverging and ascending limbs. Twigs smooth, reddish brown or yellow tinged, stout, terminal buds large, rounded,  composed of tight, smooth brown papery scales. Lateral buds smaller and similar in composition.

Leaves: Leaves pinnately compound growing alternately on a twig. 5-9 leaflets produced, typically with 7 leaflets. 3 terminal leaflets noticeably larger than basal pair. Leaflets broadly ovate, widest near the middle, end in a tapered point with a rounded or wedge shaped base. Smooth above, hairy and soft textured below. Margins finely toothed, serrations sharp and curved.  Rachis stout and hairless, leaflet petiolules short, elongated only on terminal. Rachis and petiolules tinged vibrant red.

Bark: Mature bark composed of tight, sharp interlocking dull grey or grey-brown ridges, deepening and becoming more pronounced with great age. Young bark dull and smooth, quickly becoming furrowed.

Fruit: Seed is a small, smooth, beige coloured spherical nut that lacks grooves along the sides. Tip tapers to an abrupt, blunt point, bottom rounded and slightly concave. Nut encased in a thin, green, fleshy four valved husk which remains ridged and tight when immature. Husk shape roughly spherical, much more consistent than Pignut Hickory. Husk becomes woody and blotched or brown when ripe,  longitudinal valves splitting completely and releasing the nut, also in contrast to Pignut Hickory. Shell thin but very dense. Kernel variable in flavour from sweet to bitter, not considered edible. Matures in late September to mid October, growing individually or in groups of up to 3 on short stalks, monoecious.

Habitat: Prefers dry or moist conditions in open, sunny woodlands in upland  and sloped habitats with rich loamy soils. Highly intolerant of shade. Often found as individual specimens, occasionally forming mixed stands with other hardwoods.

Note: This species is under intense uncertainty in the terms of accurate classification. Some sources claim that this tree is a variation of Pignut Hickory, while others  argue that it is distinct enough to be considered a unique species. This indecision has not yet been resolved, and therefore both classifications, both individual species and variation names are listed.

Filed under: real live art, sketches | 3 Comments »