My brain is a naked tree

Like trees in winter, my mind needs to let go, conserve energy, and prepare for a new season.

That’s why this tree, which can symbolically resemble a neuron, has no leaves. Leaves symbolise burdens, old thoughts, or useless distractions. This image also represents the vulnerability of showing oneself as one is: when the tree is bare, nothing hides the underlying structure, so the first layer, or mask, is removed. Sometimes I feel exposed, just like this tree, but this allows me to delve deeper, see things from another perspective, and feel true to myself and honest with others. This state of mind can be an opportunity to reflect, observe (the eyes), and rest (remain still), knowing that even in the quiet of winter, the tree continues to “live and prepare” for a new identity, waiting to bloom in spring.

The tree, like intellect, reason, and awareness, is at the centre of this painting. It branches out upwards among the reflections of the sky, toward thoughts, ideas, and possibilities, which are endless and multifaceted.

In the background, a landscape of other bare trees can be seen: they are the silhouettes of the darkest thoughts, pushed backwards but never forgotten.

NB: The canvas frame is cracked on the back of the top. Therefore, the structure is not perfectly rectangular. This gives the painting a deeper meaning and will not be repaired, but stabilised in its new shape.