Tree Mistress
I have always been into myth and legend. Like most people, I love trees too. From an early age I started researching for a novel I never wrote, and was surprised to learn about a tree calendar, a tree alphabet and how all the trees have related links to elements and planets. Add in the massive amount of uses trees can be put to, both medicinal and functional, and the historic links in norse and other legends, makes them a thing of wonder. My favourite is the weeping willow, followed by oak, and then rowan trees. I read somewhere that trees are rare in the universe, which makes them even more special.
This olive tree near the monastery in Lapta, which I blogged about last year in October I think, has really been on my mind. The road there is actually quite hard to get to, even with a 4x4, I had planned to go there with another model end of October last, but the weather turned and we lost our opportunity. In January after the first shoot with Shawdi, I asked her if she might be interested, and I thought her wild hair better suited the character I had in mind.
Shawdi is handy with a needle and thread, and a sewing machine, so she offered to make a costume for the shoot. She went above and beyond, sourcing ankle bracelets last second, and finding contacts in theme to wear. She did the make up, and body painting, (although Alisa helped.) I had to think of people to help, as I would need two moving lights. I worked out we would only have about half an hour of shootable time after sunset, so the more help the better. Thanks to Cash, and especially Mo and Alisa for all their efforts. It was good to take a little direction from the team. Cash climbed trees, and Alisa got us dancing. Mo filmed and helped lights connect when they didn’t. He was also insanely busy, so I appreciate him being there.
I had a dark faery creature in mind, a sort of tree siren, or faery tree spirit. There are tales of the fairy mounds in Uk folklore, and disappearing to fairy for seven years. Looking at this olive tree, the arch indicated it is 500 plus years old. The trunk sometimes splits into two, but sometimes an otherworldly arch is made. I liked the idea of mixing myths and making this tree seem like a portal.
So I adapted an old poem I wrote, and tried to capture a story in the photos.
Our Faery is shy, seductive, cruel, playful, dangerous, and if you step through you’ll be hers for seven years, in ways you can’t imagine.
This is all inspired by the Tale of Thomas the Rhymer which you can look up if you like. Thomas returns from Faery a changed man.
The Time In-Between Times is the witching hour. Sunrise and Sunset, when the veil to other worlds is thin.
I have hesitated in the past to try to do a shoot like this but I am very happy. It really couldn’t have been done without everyone involved, so thank you again.
Tree Mistress
In the time in be tween times I saw her,
Lying in the mountain forests alone,
Once seen, no mortal eye could you prefer,
And to all others your heart turns to stone.
Leave now the gloaming wood and stay no more,
She claims you hers and you may pay the price.
Will you step through the bark that hides her door?
To be her love demands a sacrifice.
Bound by awe, enchanted but to agree
And yield your will to hers for seven year.
Then circle nine times round the faerie tree,
Your fragile frame will know both joy and fear.
You’ll crave her tender touch, her blunt caress,
The wild addiction of the Tree Mistress
Here with some backstage photos.
I think that is most of the photos, but if you want to see everything, and more of Shawdi, find more photos HERE
There is now a short film promoting the concept posted here
