ÁRVORE PARA ÁGUA - The Brazil Trees

Árvore para Água (Tree to Water) is a mokuhanga print series stemming from my drawings of the bark of Brazilian trees.

"Árvore para Água - Paraná Pinho"

mokuhanga (waterbased woodcut) on Kozoshi washi (handmade Japanese kozo paper)
Image: 15 7/8" x 31 3/4"
Edition: 7
Date: 2023

Paraná Pinho in Ibirapuera Park, São Paulo, Brazil
Brazilian pine or candelabra tree is a critically endangered species in the conifer genus Araucaria.

"Árvore para Água - Pau-Brasil"

mokuhanga (waterbased woodcut) on Kozoshi washi (handmade Japanese kozo paper)
Image: 15 7/8" x 31 3/4"
Edition: 7
Date: 2023

Pau-Brasil in Burle Marx Park, São Paulo, Brazil.
Pau-Brasil is the national tree of Brazil. The wood yields a historically important red dye called brazilin, which oxidizes to brazilein. The Portuguese named these trees pau-brasil, the term pau meaning wood, and brasil meaning reddish/ember-like. In the early years of Portuguese colonization, the Pau-Brasil tree was a symbol of the new land and its wealth. The reddish-orange wood was highly sought after in Europe after its discovery, particularly for the extracted dye for use in high-end fabrics. Also known as Pernambuco-wood in the classical music world, it was in the 18th century that the wood was discovered to have properties highly appreciated by European bow makers.

However, its popularity led to overexploitation and near extinction of the species. Efforts are being made to protect and preserve the tree, which is still threatened by illegal logging and deforestation. Today, the Pau-Brasil tree is protected by Brazilian law, and efforts are being made to conserve and restore its natural habitat.