“Whispers of Change” is my pastel portrait of a branch from our own Shumard red oak—one of two elder Texans (besides Jim and me) anchoring our new home. These oaks have weathered more seasons than I can count, their roots tangled deep in the landscape’s history. As newcomers, Jim and I are just beginning to add our own stories to this place. The oaks are reminders that wisdom and strength grow quietly, year after year.

I chose a small fallen branch, its green leaves barely starting to show fall colors and a single acorn still firmly attached—a wind-scattered token of a mighty life. The background is intricate, impressionistic and mysterious (I loved using my trusty eggplant-purple to create depth and intrigue), echoing the uncertainty and beauty of change. I spent a day or two simply studying and absorbing my small piece of tree. I felt like a Druid, connecting with that branch until I knew it better.