Aspiring Aspens

Inspired by the golden colours of the Alberta Aspen trees in the fall. Pliny the Elder (d. 79AD), a naturalist in ancient Rome, thought the waving leaves of poplar trees looked like a crowd of people clapping their hands. Aspen trees last about 50 years, but the roots can be thousands of years old, making them ancient markers. Some of the trees in this painting may have sprouted from groves that were here when the Blackfoot were still hunting bison on the Paskapoo Slopes.