Banyan trees feel like the connectors to the center of the earth to the edge of our sky to the cosmos. And beyond. I am so very fond of them and of this one in particular that stands on the island of Maui in Lahaina spanning nearly a whole block. I have visited her many times walking through tracing her branches extending outward, upward, downward, while having other plants nestled growing on her. The root and branch structure is why I named this painting "Aerial Roots". She is engaging with her friends the jade vine flowers and a purple orchid with their light emanating an amber glow.
People gather with her which makes her so special. Other encounters with Banyan Trees happened after this was created with another special ancient beauty whose trunk has to be at least 50' in diameter. She was adorned by the village and nurtured with love and care after lightening struck.
I used iron paint with controlled oxidation to create the various real natural rust tones within the painting. Oil paints incorporated in parts of the branches, flowers, and elsewhere to create a contrast in sheen with light as a catalyst to make it come alive.