Composites

Alternate Treeality™ Series

I perceive trees as having their own body language that gives them human-like qualities and a story I feel when I see them. These trees walked right from nature into an other worldly place and time. Look closely at each and enjoy!

To order, click on the image(s) you desire and select the quantity, add to cart, then view the cart and follow the directions from there. Each image is mounted to a panel that lifts off the surface of the wall, then coated with a UV varnish. The sides and back are black and the back side includes the title and is signed by Denise. Please allow a couple of weeks for your order to be shipped. If you need it sooner, contact the artist here. TO ORDER PRINTS or other options, click here.

My Own Private Idaho

An imaginary place where one is locked in the arms of love — that is both protected and free. This image was created using various layers — a bonsai tree placed on an island in Sylvan Lake, Custer State Park, South Dakota. Background textures involve a patina from a car, a wall at a Mission and various others.

In Gods Country

The main images in this artwork were taken on the day of the 30th Anniversary of the band U2’s Joshua Tree Album. I knew that when I was to be creating this composite that I would name it one of the songs on that album. Though the words of the song don’t necessarily depict this scene, the title sure does!

A Walk on the Wild Side

One of my favorite places in Balboa Park is the Cactus Garden over by the Spanish Village Art Center. These awesome Dragon Trees seem to be walking with you taking in this beautiful garden. Wild and crazy plants of all kinds. The textures were taking from various rocks etc. in that area.

Joy

While riding through Canyonlands National Park in Utah, we saw mostly red rock everywhere. Much to our surprise, as we rounded a bend we saw the most beautiful display of happy golden trees (Cottonwoods?) looking as if they were jumping with joy with their arms outstretched, loving their life along the river.

Changing Direction

These Joshua Trees were captured in the Cactus Garden of Balboa Park, San Diego. To me they looked like they were two humans trying to convince the other which direction they were supposed to be going. Here, no over there, no over here. The background textures were captured from the patina of a car.

Breath of Fresh Air

Images captured to make up this image were all taken in Moab, Utah. I’m standing in Dead Horse Point State Park overlooking the north part of Canyonlands National Park. The petroglyphs and other background textures were taken in the Needles area of Canyonlands.

Aging Gracefully

When we are old at our core, I suppose we can’t fool ourselves...BUT it doesn’t mean we have to show our age! Cheers to those who ignore the number and show up in life like a spring chicken! I captured this tree in Mission Bay Park. I celebrated a birthday once under this tree. The roots are another tree upside down.

Blossoming

Like a teenager that is awkward and insecure, with time and experiences they will blossom and shine! This Pear Blossom was captured in Balboa Park, San Diego and the background textures are a wall, sun rays are rust marks and birds are from the beach.

Dance of Spring

Who is happy when spring comes around? They are! Ocotillo seem to be celebrating spring with their arms in the air and their offerings of color. We also rejoice in the same way when spring signals the end of winter. Taken in Borrego Springs, California. Background textures are metal, cacti and various other.

Dreamland

In some ways it looks like this tree decided to play dress-up and have fun in their imaginary world. The countryside with this tree was captured in Dingle, Ireland. If you look closely you can see some cows peeking between the trees. The other textures are made up of some metal rivets and paper.

Reach For the Stars

Up on your tip toes reaching up as far as you possibly can. This little bonsai has to reach much farther up than you probably have to so get to it. You know that saying, “if your dreams do not scare you, they aren’t big enough!” Well, what are you waiting for? Go out there and do it!

High

Whether he is “King of the Hill” or high on life, this bird has made friends with this old but very wise tree in the middle of make-believe land. Listening to the wise one’s stories, the lessons they have learned and their advise on how to live life to the fullest helps to remain balanced and on top of the world!

Spreading Good Vibes

A little bonsai with a big heartfelt goal...spreading good vibes. If you look close enough you can see the vibes eminating from his needles! He is quick with a “Hi” and will be your best friend. The background images are from Mission San Juan Capistrano. That place is a treasure trove of textures! Love photographing there!

Awakening

Arms outstretched, this tree (possibly a Queensland Bottle Tree) was welcoming in the morning sun and rejoicing at the amazing start of a fresh new day. I captured the tree in the Cactus Garden in Balboa Park, San Diego, California and the backgrounds are pieces of textured sidewalks, with creative license, of course!

Love Bird

When capturing this beautiful pink tree I noticed that the branches somewhat formed a heart. I knew I needed to place a little bird in there. It’s not a true “love bird” but it is for this piece, that’s for sure. The background texture was from one of the patio tiles at the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park, San Diego.

Going With the Flow

When things don’t go the way you were wanting them to go, try something new. Maybe you are trying to force something that wasn’t where you were supposed to be going. Take it from these trees and just go with the flow! This scene was captured along the scenic walking path by the railroad tracks in Del Mar.

Cheer-y

This purple gal is a pom-pon girl with her knee up leading a cheer. Either to cheer you up or to cheer you ON with your life. In early summer these Jackaranda trees pop up all over San Diego. Take advantage of this and feel the spirit of encouragement as you pass them by on the street!

Swagger

This is a Chinese Elm bonsai that has that swagger, that fun, cocky confidence...kind of a rock star! So I decided to give him the “red carpet treatment” (did you know the 2023 used a golden carpet?) with this own logo wall to pose in front of for the paparazzi.

Showoff

She knows she looks good and she’s not afraid to flaunt it! This little beauty is a bonsai tree captured from a friend’s collection. Twas green when I photographed her but decided to take some creative license to make her shine! Background images are various but mainly a sidewalk in my hood stained with leaves.

Respect

There are many signs of respect. One of them (in royalty anyway), is a common curtsy. This thoughtful bonsai has it down just right as it appears she is lifting her dress with her arm tusk and bending in respect. I know you can see it. Sometimes the postures of these trees really give off human-like qualities!

Broad Reach

It appears the tree is reaching up to the sunrise, BUT if you look closer the rocks below resemble a woman’s head turned sideways, her breasts and her torso. The tree is her arm outstretched and also reaching up to touch the rising sun. Image captured on top of beautiful Mt. Helix in La Mesa, California.

A Walk in the Park

Who wouldn’t want to walk around this park? This tree does! Set high above a valley, this scene was captured in a park above the Puente Nuevo in Ronda, Spain. This painterly image uses metal, paper and other various textures to give it its painterly look like it lives somehow in a Van Gogh painting.

Fireworks

This little tree is BIG in personality, and quite the little showman! Fireworks draw your attention and captivate you for a time. That same thing happens in relationships. Everyone deserves to have some fireworks in their life! The background textures are from the side of another tree. I guess there is a relationship there.

Flourish

I took quite a bit of artistic license with this image. It is one I captured in the cactus garden in Balboa Park, San Diego. It is actually green but I wanted it to capture more attention than that. Somehow it had to outdo the palm tree in the background saying, “look at me, look at me!” Lots to explore in this image.

Waiting

It sure looks like this tree person has been waiting a long time. Paint peeling, feet kicked out, resting for eternity. This is a Queensland Bottle Tree and I captured it in Balboa Park, San Diego. I find a lot of interesting subjects in this area. What have you been waiting for like, forever?

Open Invitation

This tree is simply looking for a play date, I suppose. Waiting for someone to walk by, see their unexpected invitation of the surprise swing in the woods, and accept it. Found in the area above La Jolla, these swings aren’t necessarily a secret anymore but are sought out by many to maybe just be a kid again?

Catch a Falling Star

Looks like stars all over this tree. Just had to clip one off and make it into a free fall over what looks like an open hand to complete this story. But, the story continues. I had to add a little pocket on the trunk of the tree. Where else would you put the stars? Tree captured in Balboa Park’s cactus garden.

The New Normal

This bird and tree have lost their sense of normal, similar to what we all went through during the government shutdown. While we were all the same people, nothing much looked like what we were used to. To continue onward, we all accepted the new normal. Backgrounds are sides of trees, a sidewalk and dots.

Peace Out

The day is about over, and this old tree takes a look at the setting sun and signals the end of the day. Taken in Kinsale, Ireland from above the town in a residential area. Textures include the patina from an old car and pieces of a sidewalk.

Breakthrough

After winding down through Custer State Park we went through a couple of these tunnels. This one is Needles Eye Tunnel. Trust me when I say that you start out a little apprehensive, then halfway through you are thinking, why did we do this? Then you break through to the other side.

Contemplation

Well this one really isn’t a tree but I’m going to call it one anyway. This hummingbird was resting quietly on this branch near a golf course in Palm Desert. Was do you suppose what he was contemplating? The background texturs are from, in part, an old weathered wall in Old Town, San Diego.

Protector

I captured the main images that make up this artwork in Moab, Utah. The vistas were amazing with the colorful red rock all around. This bird seemed to be protecting his territory, but I like to think that he was enjoying this amazing view of the Canyonlands National Park.

Looking Back

Going forward with life but always somehow looking back. Perhaps to a better place in time. An easier time. A time when your loved one was still around. Always remembering. Layers are made up of tree textures and graffiti. Image of tree was taken in Moab, Utah.

Solid Foundation

Although the posture of this tree seems to be a little unstable, it clearly has a solid foundation working in its favor. Our lives are much the same in the way we handle adversity. If we are grounded human beings, then when we are rattled by outside forces we will be able to sustain our composure and thrive.

The Storyteller

I have found many of the trees in my Alternate Treeality™ series in the cactus garden in Balboa Park, San Diego. Over time visitors have carved their stories on the leaves of this tree. I call this tree the Storyteller because in their absence, this tree is repeating the stories of the people that told him their stories.

Standing Tall

Brave and proud, be the best YOU you can be. Above it all, not bending to ridicule or peer pressures. This image was captured up in the Idyllwild/Pine Cove area of southern California. The background consists of some pine cones and a textural side of another tree with the motion feeling symbolizing our busy lives.

Intertwined

This was the very first in my Alternate Treeality™ series. A friend at Nainsook in La Mesa asked me to take part in a show to benefit Mt. Helix Park. The image had to be something from the park. This was a stretch for me since I was mainly doing European architecture. I like how it turned out and the rest is history!

Woot Woot!

You are on the dance floor singing and dancing to the beat of a song with your hands in the air and your groove right on. Celebrate your life, be thankful and show it! I found this tree in Balboa Park’s cactus garden in San Diego. It has such a large personality and I had to capture it!

Fiery Passion

This tree looks like he has it. What we don’t know is what he is passionate about. Perhaps the petroglyphs in the background give a little hint? What are you passionate about? This tree is the same tree as Looking Back, another one in this Alternate Treeality™ series.

Born Ready

On your mark, set, GO! You know the ones in life that are ready for anything! Is that you? Image of the Torrey Pine tree was taken in La Jolla above the Cave Store. The background images were taken in Mission San Juan Capistrano. The graffiti in this series symbolizes the story being told.

Overshadow

This looks like a large towering tree over a beautiful lake. But in reality, it’s actually just a small bonsai tree that looks huge. It’s kind of like people. You know the saying where people that act larger than life to make up for their small stature? Sort of like that. The lake is Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park, South Dakota.

Historic Downtown San Diego

Gaslamp Quarter

Downtown

El Cortez

Downtown

Santa Fe Train Depot

Downtown

Balboa Park Composites (Sepia)

BP100: Botanical Building

Balboa Park • San Diego

BP100: Casa Del Prado Theater

Balboa Park • San Diego

BP100: Organ Pavilion

Balboa Park • San Diego

BP100: Salute!

Balboa Park • San Diego

Balboa Park 100 Color Series

Each panel is 9 x 11-3/4″ and can be arranged on your wall in a variety of ways. They float off the wall in a dramatic presentation and do not need framing.

BP100 Series (color)

Balboa Park • San Diego