The Waiting Tree
Oil Pastel on Paper
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson
The Waiting Tree is an original oil pastel work by Laura Bernardeschi Nelson that explores stillness, time, and the quiet endurance of nature. The composition centres on a solitary tree whose dark trunk and reaching branches anchor the surrounding space, creating a sense of pause and grounded presence.
The landscape unfolds softly around it — muted greens, greys, and earthen reds dissolve into one another, while marks remain loose and expressive. A simple bench appears at the edge of the scene, suggesting human proximity without human presence. It implies waiting, observation, or memory, reinforcing the contemplative tone of the work.
The tree is not depicted as monumental or symbolic in a literal sense, but as a witness. Its branches stretch outward and upward, holding space rather than commanding it. There is no clear narrative or moment of action; instead, the work exists in suspension, inviting slow looking and quiet reflection.
Working in oil pastels allows for a tactile, immediate surface. Layered marks and softened edges retain traces of gesture and revision, echoing the natural processes of growth, erosion, and time passing. The absence of sharp boundaries reinforces the sense of inward focus and emotional landscape rather than descriptive place.
The Waiting Tree speaks to moments of stillness — to the spaces we return to internally when movement pauses and attention deepens. It is an intimate work, suited to collectors drawn to quiet imagery, introspective landscapes, and understated emotional presence.
Artwork Details:
- Artist: Laura Bernardeschi Nelson
- Title: The Waiting Tree
- Medium: Oil pastels on paper
- Dimensions: 45 × 35 cm
- Original: One-of-a-kind artwork
Laura Bernardeschi Nelson artworld and travels 