MICHAEL DINARDO
Many Believe That There Are No Chance Meetings
Many years ago, while attending Montreal’s largest and most prestigious salon des métiers arts, I came across Paul-André Leblanc, an artist who made magnificent sculptures of trees. I was amazed and immediately bought one to gift to one of my sisters in law who has a great appreciation for the creative.
I have always been drawn to trees.
I grew up in a leafy neighbourhood called Elmvale. It was built in a valley of beautiful elm trees. Every house was surrounded by the tall stately trees. My earliest memories were of the play pen my mother made for me around a particularly magnificent elm in the back yard. I would lie in the grass gazing up at the high crown that then cascaded downwards in a graceful arc, and laughed as the golden leaves rained down on sunny September afternoons.
Time moved on, and so did we.
My father wanted to try his hand at farming’s we sold up and moved to the countryside of Old Upper Canada on the St. Lawrence River. The early settlers planted apple orchards, and discovered the Macintosh in 1811. It was here that I first saw great old gnarled apple trees with their twisted roots, branches and knots.
My adult life would see me traveling many places in the world and everywhere I went, I admired the wonderful trees that grew there.
The majestic oaks and beeches of England as well as the wind bent wizened thorns on the high moors.
France and its iconic Plane lined streets and great spreading chestnuts. The olive groves of the Mediterranean.
The small flashing streams in the valleys of the Black Forest, lined with graceful and fragrant Lindens.
It was in Asia that I first encountered Bonsai. I was amazed. Such a patient and respectful celebration of the beauty and form of trees.
On returning home, I settled in the southernmost region of the Province of Quebec, the eastern townships of Old Lower Canada. A beautiful landscape here in the northernmost tip of the Appalachian Mountain range.
During the first terrible wave of covid 19, a dear friend in Plano Texas, sadly like so many, lost his beloved Father. We wanted to send him something to express our deepest sympathy as well as to remind him of our continuing love and support. The tree that we purchased all those years ago came immediately to mind. After a brief search on the internet, we realized that the Paul-André was living in a nearby town! We contacted him and he invited me to come and choose a tree sculpture for our friend.
His workshop was magical to me. I was amazed at the intricate beauty of the trees he was making. We chose one to send to our friend, and while we were there we got to talking with the Paul-André about his long career. It was during this conversation that he said he would be gradually slowing down his sculpting as he was getting too old to work like he used to do. Sadly, he said, he didn’t have anyone in his family who was interested in learning his technique in sculpting trees.
I didn’t sleep.
When I contacted him and asked if perhaps, he would agree to teach me his method, he happily agreed! Paul-André and I share a wonder and respect for the beauty of creation, in particular, trees. Our similar inner spiritual lives have helped us connect and enabled the handing on of the artistic tradition and technic that he developed over a lifetime.
It is my great honour and pleasure to create tree sculptures, that express my love for the beauty of this world, and to be able to offer them as a treasured memorial to your loved ones.
Michael Dinardo