2017

We move forward from two successful exhibitions in 2016 in Prague and in the USA to the challenge of an exhibition in the Netherlands in the Autumn. We continue to work on A2 sized pieces in portrait format and will be producing four pieces over the year with the theme of 'Freedom'. An essential part of our art is working in series to a common format which does give us all a framework for our creative endeavours.

Sunday 13 April 2014


I have choses Trees of Africa for my theme for this year,

The first one is the Baobab.

The Baobab is also known as “the tree of Life” or “The Cream of Tartar Tree “or the Brood Boom.

Recent carbon dating done on some of the old large tree has shown that they have dated back about 3000 years.

 The folk stories about the Baobab tree are interesting. One story is that the Baobab tree was not very happy when all the other trees around him were beautiful trees ,so  he complained to God. This made god very angry , and he uprooted the Baobab and re planted him upside down!!

The fruit of the Baobab (cream of tartar) is rich in Vitiam C , antioxidants and probiotics

The Baobab is a good source of water for the indigenous people. They drill a hole in the bark and then plug it with mud, which they can remove later to  obtain more water .

The leaves (which are rich in Vitiam C and potassium tartrate) are boiled in water and left to soak. Once drained., this  water used in small doses,  can be used to help cure malaria, asthma, coughs and other chest ailments. Some people believe that it also helps prevent diabetes, arthritis, allergies, heart conditions and ageing. How much of this is true.. is unknown !!!

The young roots can be cooked and  eaten.

Elephants , Kudu, Nyala and Impala enjoy eating the leaves of the Baobab tree.

Fibre from the inner bark is used to make rope, baskets and nets.

Bees, bee hives, are often found in the hollowed out areas of the Baobab.


 

2 comments:

  1. Margie - Excellent! A beautiful Baobab. A wonderful and amazing tree. The colours look terrific. I like the added dimension on the branches.
    Magie

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  2. The Baobab is such a strange tree and makes a great subject. Your background quilting is very appropriate and I can see the names of the tree that you have written. And are those beads I can see round the edge? And how did you make the 3D branches? I shall love to see the next ones you make,Margie. Elaine.

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