Figure 1 – Annie Brigman’s self-portrait “Soul of the Blasted Pine” (1908). In the public domain because of age.

It is truly amazing and awe-inspiring how we walk around with all of these images stored inside our brains; so that we are ever ready to say, “This reminds me of that.” And, of course, the best images appeal to or summon up themes from the collective psyche and mythology of humankind. That causes not only an association but a resonance with other people’s associations.

One such image, for me, is Annie Brigman’s magnificent “Spirit of the Blasted Pine,” a self portrait reproduced here as Figure 1. It evokes the quintessential forest or tree spirit released from the bough of a broken tree. It is magnificent. Brigman and her haunting images are always with me.

The other day I was at a friend’s house and saw this natural sculpture – tree roots imprisoning a large stone. The association with Brigman’s image was, to my mind, immediate and vivid.

Figure 2 – Tribute to Annie Brigman’s “Soul of the blasted pine.” (c) DE Wolf 2021.