The Pillars of the Valley

A powerful, cinematic landscape of a steep, rocky cliffside weathering a fierce, windy storm. In the center of the cliff, a young, slender birch tree is bending heavily under the weight of the gale-force winds, nearly touching the ground.The Act of Support: Growing right alongside it is a massive, ancient oak tree with deep, exposed roots that are wrapped tightly around the base of the birch tree, anchoring it into the stone. One giant, thick branch of the oak curves perfectly underneath the trunk of the birch, catching it and keeping it from snapping in the storm.The Environment: Heavy rain streaks through the air, but a single, soft beam of warm sunlight is breaking through the dark storm clouds, shining directly on the spot where the two trees meet. The color palette contrasts the cold, stormy greys of the background with the warm, rich browns and deep greens of the supportive trees.