Reach For The Sky
40 x 60 cm. (15.7" x 23.6")
Available · inquire for pricing · email: robert@nitiredjo.com
I love taking long walks in the forest, especially in autumn. Summers are hot and boisterous, bringing long days and busy social lives. Me, I much prefer the quiet, introspective, and solemn vibe of autumn. Its vibrant colors are accompanied by a gentle melancholy as the leaves slowly fall, reminding us that nothing lasts forever. This moody season shows us that there is immense beauty in the natural cycle of growth and decay. It's a theme that often draws my attention. With this painting, however, I wanted to explore something different: our own potential for growth.
Standing beneath a massive tree such as this one, it is hard not to be impressed by what nature can achieve.
From this low viewpoint, the branches seem to stretch infinitely into the sky. It's a breathtaking example of the uncompromising growth of nature. A tree does not grow to half its potential size and then says "I guess that will do". It drives its roots as deep as possible and stretches its branches as high as it can . For me, that's another one of nature's valuable lessons.
We often hold ourselves back. Self-doubt, fear of failure or the comfort of the familiar can make us settle before we've discovered what we are truly capable of. In contrast, the maple challenges us to try a little harder, to maximize our personal growth.
Most birds climb upwards. Nuthatches do the opposite just as happily. Their remarkable grip allows them to scamper headfirst down tree trunks, giving them access to insects that many other birds simply overlook. With their strong legs and sharp claws, they can explore every crack and crevice in the bark, often moving in a spiral around the trunk as they search for hidden prey. This unusual feeding style makes the nuthatch one of the most agile little acrobats of the forest.
But, reaching toward the sky is only half the story. A tree can only grow tall because it is firmly rooted. Hidden beneath the forest floor is an intricate network of roots, quietly doing the work that no one ever sees. They anchor the tree against the wind, draw water and nutrients from the soil, and provide the stability needed for every new branch to grow. Perhaps our own lives need roots as well.
In a world that constantly asks us to do more, achieve more, and move faster, it is easy to lose touch with the present moment. But it is often in moments of stillness that we find our greatest strength. Like the unseen roots of the maple, these quiet moments ground us, helping us weather life's storms and continue growing with confidence.
The little nuthatch seems to understand this instinctively. It isn't concerned with how tall the tree has become or how far it still has to climb. It simply explores the bark beneath its feet, fully engaged with the task at hand.
Looking up at this magnificent tree, we’re encouraged to rise as far as we can, while remaining steady and grounded in the moment. Ultimately, the maple shows us we don't have to choose between doing and being. We can reach upward while staying rooted, embrace change without resisting it, and pursue our ambitions without losing ourselves in them. To me, that is what it truly means to grow.
"Reach for the sky, but stay firmly rooted in the present."
