THE MCGRAW TREE

“The McGraw Tree”

Although this is not a mural, I found it important to include in the category to show the progression of the style of my work throughout 2022.

This painting was commissioned by a very special client that I have worked alongside for the past 2 years, Candace Mcgraw, CEO of the Cincinnati International Airport.

Candace commissioned this painting as a gift for her husband Joe’s 60th birthday. The design is primarily based on Joe’s Irish roots and pride in that fact. I took a serious deep dive into Celtic symbolism and culture to aid me in the direction of the design.

The base of the design or “anchor” is the Celtic tree of life, or just “Tree of Life”. This really stood out to me because of Joe’s devotion to the Catholic church, and Christianity as a whole. The Tree of life was believed to be the connection between Heaven and Earth. Celtic people believe that trees were ancestors of man, and connected to the afterlife. The Celtic name for Oak, Daur, is the origin of the word door, and the roots are the doorway to the afterlife.

So the design is based on this connection between heaven and Earth. It becomes almost this abstracted, dream like interpretation of the life Joe and Candace have created together. Among the branches are the fruits of their labors, memories, and building blocks that have come to represent and define their lives, which ultimately are connected to Joe’s and Candace’s devotion to a higher calling.

Within these branches of life, are partially abstracted representations of Joe’s 3 most important accomplishments, his children. There is an Eagle in the top right, representing John/ Sean. There is a partially abstracted bull representing Luke in the top left. There are a number of fragmented Roses representing Madeline throughout the composition.

There is also a number of Celtic symbols. There are a number of shamrocks or clovers. Celtic people believe that everything necessary in life comes in threes, The holy trinity, 3 ages of man/woman, the 3 dominions of Earth (land, water, sky), and in Joe’s life his 3 children.

There is also a Celtic cross somewhat fragmented in the top center left. I found this to be important because it is represented in the main logo of his beloved college Mercyhurst, as well as representing the 4 cardinal directions or virtues (Prudence, Justice, fortitude, and temperance).

I see this design not only as a tree of life, but an organic structure that took the effort of both Candace and Joe to plant and watch grow. The architectural elements can almost be seen as the building blocks Joe and Candace followed to find success, and instill in their children.

-Acrylic on custom built wood panel, with custom built frame

-48” x 32”

-2022