MARY MELILLI: ART
TREE HEART JOURNEYS
In September 2023 I participated in a retreat at Kripalu Center focused on awakening our heart's dream with trees. Amba Aliana'Hi and Jeff Prabhakar Migdow guided our meditative journeys outdoors with five different tree ceremonies: Elm, Apple, Hemlock, Camperdown Elm, and Willow. The art on these pages represents my interpretation of some of the messages and feelings that I received during each of the five ceremonies.
After the retreat, I reviewed my journal writings and directed my thoughts and energies into creating one painting per tree ceremony. These paintings serve as a reminder to myself of the transformative thinking and pathways of discovery that I learned to see in my mind's eye with the guidance of Amba and Jeff and in the presence of other members of the group who also shared some of their insights and experiences. I was initially drawn to the retreat because of my deep love of nature and a connection to trees. I came out with an increased awareness of a broad spiritual awakening happening which I believe can restore some balance to our natural world. The trees and our hearts have so much to say.
ELM TREE
15 x 30 x 1.5", acrylic on canvas, 10/23
The Elm tree ceremony was the first one and took place on the front lawn on a Friday morning. More...
APPLE TREE
36 x 12 x 1.5", acrylic on canvas, 10/23
The Apple tree was located on a hillside amongst other old apple trees. More...
HEMLOCK
48 x 36 x 1.5", acrylic on canvas, 10/23
The Hemlock tree ceremony was held inside a cavelike chamber with layers of needle-covered branches overhead and draping down along the sides. More...
CAMPERDOWN ELM
40 x 16 x 1.5", acrylic on canvas, 10/23
To reach the Camperdown Elm tree, we walked and paused at the sites of the previous tree ceremonies. More...
WILLOW TREE
15 x 30 x 1.5", acrylic on canvas, 11/23
It was the last day of the retreat and the final tree ceremony. A bit tired from the heightened receptivity of Hemlock and Camperdown Elm, I wondered what Willow would add to the mix. More...
RAVEN STEALS THE LIGHT
36 x 12 x 1.5", acrylic on canvas, 10/23
This is another painting I created to represent the Hemlock ceremony based on an ancient Haida tribe tale that was read aloud during the guided meditation. Read the tale...