Day 1: Oak

I grew up among the oak trees, so this piece felt like painting an old friend. While there are many types of oak, this one is the Quercus boyntonii or “Alabama Sandstone Oak,” a rare and critically endangered species found in just nine counties in Alabama. It breaks my heart to think that the oak tree so emblematic to my childhood is at risk of extinction. This piece therefore also serves as a vital reminder of the importance of the Land Back Movement, which allows indigenous people to steward their own land.