Mystic Red Alders

It always struck me as a little strange how Red Alders are not red in appearance unless you strip away the outer bark, but various shades of grey, green, and white. Native to BC, the Red Alder helped provide for the indigenous people's way of life. The wood was used to make eating implements, for smoking meats, and for building fires. The outer bark provides material for textiles and a red dye to colour it. While the inner bark is edible. No wonder the spiritual meaning given to Red Alder is often said to be 'safety and protection'. When used in fairy magic, it is believed that the alder is the secret doorway the fairy folk use to pass from one realm to another.

Paper and clear acrylic polymer on a deep box exhibition canvas. The piece is coated in a protective UV varnish