Abstract Shad Flower Cluster Photograph by Anita Pollak

Abstract Shad Flower Cluster

by Anita Pollak

Canvas Print

$75

Framed Print

$93

Art Print

$28

Poster

$28

Metal Print

$81

Acrylic Print

$89

Wood Print

$61

Tapestry

$46

Throw Pillow

$25

Fleece Blanket

$48

Duvet Cover

$105

Shower Curtain

$73

Bath Towel

$33

Ornament

$11

Jigsaw Puzzle

$39

Tote Bag

$28

Greeting Card

$4.95

Spiral Notebook

$15

Sticker

$4.50

iPhone Case

$27

Beach Towel

$33

Men's Clothing

$25

Women's Clothing

$25

Youth Clothing

$21

Toddler Clothing

$19

Baby Clothing

$23

Title

Abstract Shad Flower Cluster

Artist

Anita Pollak

Medium

Photograph - Photograph With Filters And Texture

Description

We have a beautiful shad bush, or small tree, right outside our kitchen door where we can enjoy the blooms throughout the day. The blooms don't last very long, so I try to shoot them at as many stages as I can - buds, flowers starting to open, full bloom. The florets are tiny and not easy to get in focus, especially when it is windy, as it was the day I shot these.

I knew I wanted to process this cluster, but it took me awhile to get the look I wanted. Finally I went with a fun swirl filter in Topaz Studio, played with the background color, and added a texture to finish the look.

The shad had a very interesting history, as explained on the New York Botanical Garden Web site:

"One of the most wonderful native trees in our area is the Shadbush (Amelanchier arborea), which is sometimes called the Serviceberry, Shadblow or Juneberry tree. It’s an all-season beauty, especially in a natural landscape setting.

The small tree features lovely grey bark and showy flowers, as well as terrific berries for pies and gorgeous fall color. But equally beautiful are the stories and folktales that have been associated with this tree for hundreds of years.

One story is that the first settlers in the New England area often planned funeral services at the same time that the tree bloomed. Its blooming was a sign that the ground had thawed sufficiently to be able to dig graves. So the tree became known as the ‘serviceberry tree.’

Another story is that for thousands of years along the Hudson River Valley, the bloom time of the tree coincided with the massive spring shad fish run up the river to spawn. So the tree was called the ‘shadbush’ or ‘shadblow.’ Today, the shad fish population in the Hudson has declined to dangerously low levels, as have other Hudson River fish, and they are now at risk. But the trees have held their ground.

There’s an award-winning children’s book called When the Shadbush Blooms, in which a young Lenape Indian girl fishes for shad and recalls a time when her great, great grandmother did the same. In fact, many Native American tribes used the plant for food and medicine and to make arrow shafts.

The journals from Lewis and Clark’s expedition out west tell yet another tale. They are said to have survived on the berries when other food was scarce. Their journal entry of May 1804 lists the serviceberries as plentiful as the explorers passed near St. Louis, Missouri."

Processed in Photoshop with Topaz Studio and a texture

Nikon D850 with Nikon 200mm lens

1st Place in the New Abstracts in April Contest - April 27, 2023

Featured in the following FAA groups:

Your Story of Art - 5/7/2023
Artist's Buzzz - 5/6/2023
Intent of the Artist - 5/3/2023
A Woman's Touch - 4/23/2023