Held - 9x12 Original Painting - Nurse Log Collection

"Held" When I see the nurse logs all covered in the new life of moss, lichen, mushrooms and such, I feel as if they are holding one another. the nurse log holds the new life and feeds it while the new life holds the nurse log as it's passing away into a new and different form.

This painting is part of the Nurse Log Collection. A study of the beauty and tragedy in the cycle of life, death and rebirth. The word “dryad” is of Greek origin and was the name given to spirits that inhabit trees. They are guardians of the forest. These beings are dryads but are specifically Nurse Log Dryads.

A Nurse Log is a fallen tree that becomes a rich source of life for various plants, fungi, and animals in a forest ecosystem. As it decays, it provides nutrients, moisture, and a stable surface for seeds to germinate and grow, creating an ideal environment for saplings and a variety of plant species. Nurse logs are especially common in old-growth forests, where dense canopies and rich undergrowth foster conditions for these fallen trees to serve as “nurseries” for new plant life. Nurse Logs are vital for forest regeneration and biodiversity, illustrating the forest ecosystem’s resilience and interconnectedness.

9x12 Acrylic and Oil on cradled gesso board. Ready to hang. 2024