"The remains of a large, cut cable twisted around a century old tree, a Black Cottonwood is the focus of this drawing. This Cottonwood is one of several trees used, over a century ago, to anchor timber rafts holding logs to the bank of the Williamette River in Oregon until tugboats could move them to mills downstream. It is a drawing from my Trees series that I began in 2021. Although you cannot see the tree, a close up of the cable and surrounding flora tells the best story. The small redwood pine cone and much of the moss and leaves were added from my mind after I put away the resource photographs. I did not realize until I was nearly done that this cabled Cottonwood represents my hope. This tree has survived without complaint; given service to human beings despite the strain placed on it over several years. What remains are the scars and cables embedded in its trunk, but the tree is 100 feet tall and is 150+ years old. When I visit it, I am always inspired and in awe. A close friend and art mentor told me she thinks this tree means so much to me because of my own tenacity and the many scars and remnants of metal hardware I carry with me from 20+ orthopedic surgeries. I love trees because they remind me to be still and to remember that my mobility limits have no bearing on my worth."

- Denali Brooke

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