Trees of the West: An Artist’s Guide

by Molly Hashimoto

Artist Molly Hashimoto has appreciated trees all her life―they have shaped her as a hiker, outdoors lover, gardener, traveler, and artist. She pays homage to them through her art, working in many different media, each revealing different aspects of these stalwart crisp lines, imposing silhouettes, and the subtle–or sometimes brilliant―hues of foliage. Hashimoto also delves into the process of creating art, discussing the mediums she used in the featured pieces and the reasons she chose them, as well as sidebars with tips and techniques.

As in her popular Colors of the West and Birds of the West , Hashimoto emphasizes her personal experiences with nature, telling stories about her encounters with trees everywhere from her backyard to national parks and forests throughout the West. She focuses primarily on native trees, rather than cultivars, with a special interest in 46 major species found across the region, ranging from the stately Coast redwoods to the diminutive but distinctive Fishhook Barrel Cactus.

Rooted in place, trees offer endless opportunities for observation, admiration, relaxation, and inspiration. Trees of the West invites us to pause and appreciate these sentinels in all their quiet glory.

Genres: Art, Nature, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2022

Reviews

[Roberta Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is beautiful,informative, and a pleasure for your senses. The two best parts are art and the poetry from forest scientists and other lovers of trees. I will reread this for the pleasures it imparts. I have a new appreciation for the beautiful old growth trees that I live under.

[Marianne Mersereau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trees of the West is a delightful book for tree lovers, especially those interested in sketching or painting trees. Beautiful illustrations accompany the detailed descriptions of trees along with advice on drawing and painting them and where some of the trees can be found in parks and forests.

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gorgeous book. My college degree was in forest ecology, and I loved the author’s technical accuracy. But that’s not the point. The point is the beauty of Hashimoto’s artwork and her appreciation of the individual trees, the species, and the forests they form. She doesn’t give in to the current trend to romanticize or anthropomorphize trees and forests. Instead she helps us see their individual qualities through fresh eyes, informed by art.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is wonderful. The writing is a bit more varied, sometimes factual and informative about different species of trees, interspersed with journal entries from the author’s travels, poems and quotes by others, and boxes describing art techniques employed in the illustrations. I will admit to skim reading on occasion as some of the more flowery passages did not appeal to me.

[Bradhernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspirational read. Half-painting guide, half-field guide. This book will make you want to get outdoors and explore. Also looks very stylish on your coffee table. Read it for the amazing artwork instead.

[Victoria Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The font is very small, and this made reading the text difficult for me. But I spent most of my time gazing at the illustrations anyway. I love those wood block prints.

[Stormy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is lovely to browse for the watercolors and woodcuts the author has created. The bonus text regarding forests and woodlands is very informative and interesting.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful art, great views of trees and information about them. makes me want to plan a trip to see some of these greats, or just step outside!