STORY BEHIND THE ART OF LUCY MARTIN
24th Annual International
American Society of Botanical Artists and Marin Art and Garden Center
Valley Oak Branch with Lace Lichen
Quercus lobata, Ramalina menziesii
I live in Sonoma County, California, which is blessed with a variety of beautiful oak trees. The valley oak, Quercus lobata, is to me the most fascinating. It is the largest of North American oaks and may live as long as 600 years. As the tree ages, the branches take on arched and twisting shapes, often drooping all the way to the ground. This gives the tree tremendous individuality and character, and it was the first thing that drew me to this subject to paint. In addition, most of these oaks are home to enormous amounts of lace lichen, Ramalina menziesii.
Lace lichen is my favorite of all lichens. Its delicate, complex structure truly resembles lace or netting. It grows in long, hanging strands or ribbons with lobes that branch off larger strands, each one a marvel of exquisite lace. The lichen strands often stick together in large clumps, and they are also blown by the wind to catch on nearby twigs, creating graceful, hanging loops. It seems almost that it arranges itself for a composition.
When I decided to paint a valley oak branch, I realized the painting needed to be larger than any I had done before. I wanted to capture the curving, looping growth of a branch, but also the delicate details of the lace lichen and many other lichens that grow on these oaks. It is always a challenge to depict large size and fine detail in the same composition. This painting is the culmination of several years of work on lichens.
Lichens are among the least noticed of living organisms. Many friends have commented that they never saw them until they went on a walk with me. But lichens thrive in almost every ecosystem, with important roles to play. They provide food and nesting material for animals and birds, prevent soil erosion, and they are a significant source of fixed atmospheric nitrogen for plants. Many lichens are sensitive to air pollution and are used in research on air quality. Ramalina menziesii receives nutrients and moisture from the air. Because of its large surface area, it is especially sensitive to whatever comes to it borne in the air.
My love of lichens arises, though, from the beauty and multiplicity of their shapes and colors. Lichens richly repay close observation. I feel I am just beginning to discover the many gifts lichens have to offer me as an artist.