The tree of life could be seen as a representation of your own life. If you were to draw it out, what would it look like? It may have strong roots if you have been practicing your craft for a long time. The root system may branch out, absorbing nutrients and water from the history and culture you were and are a part of.
The trunk, supported by the root system, might be strong enough to support the many branches reaching up into the sky and over to capture the most light it can. The fruit it produces might grow on those branches and drop to the forest floor to maybe feed and nourish the wildlife and soil or to sprout new saplings. The tree of your life might be more important than you realize. If you were gone, you might be missed.
Your root system that runs deep into the ground might be a part that holds soil in place and slows erosion. Cut enough trees along the banks and remove them, and you run the risk of creating landslides. The only reason why you might still stand is not only because of the strong root system but also because of your imperfections. The trees that grew straight and tall with few knots and bends were cut for lumber. Your imperfections might have saved you and allowed you to live a long life, giving shade and fruit to the forest.
It might be good to map out the creative tree of your life. Drawing out its root system will help you understand what type of ground you are in and what influences your growth. It may also tell you what ground you are attempting to save from erosion and what types of nutrients and moisture you're absorbing. Mapping out the creative tree of your life will allow you to see what leads to the type of fruit you produce and create.
As an artist, knowing the tree of your life and all that’s involved is a great way to learn about yourself and those around you. It will also inform you what changes you might need to make or seek to make. It is possible to have to much of a good thing. Roots can get rotted after a time if too much water is present, and too much rain can cause cherries to split.
What does the tree of your life look like? How does it function within the ecosystem you're a part of? What kind of soil are you nurturing? What fruits are you bearing, and how do these fruits impact the environment around you? Perhaps conducting a simple study on trees could provide useful insights.
Lots of insights here!!
I feel drawing my creative tree of life can help me out! Thanks for this Al!