2017 Nautilus Book Award Winner for Photography & Art
TreeGirl: Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature
200 pages. Hardcover, 11 x 11 inches.
Over 150 color photographs Printed in the US on 100% PCW Recycled Paper Published by TreeGirl Studios LLC Cover Price: $45 ISBN : 978-0-692-72604-4 Published Date: January 15, 2017 OR ORDER THE BOOK FROM YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM ONE OF THESE ONLINE RETAILERS!
PRAISE FOR TREEGIRL
"A love poem to trees." – Thomas Pakenham, author of Meeting with Remarkable Trees, Remarkable Trees of the World, and The Remarkable Baobab "Sheer beauty." – Joanna Macy, author of Active Hope:, Coming Back to Life, World as Lover, World as Self "A vital, visually stunning photographic volume." – Kirkus Reviews |
TreeGirl: Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature We enjoy being lost―or perhaps found―in wildness and the grandness of nature. TreeGirl brings us there. In TreeGirl: Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature, Julianne Skai Arbor, a.k.a. TreeGirl―photographer, certified arborist, conservation educator and forest ecotherapist―invites us into intimate contact with fifty magnificent tree species from her adventures in thirteen countries on four continents. Using a remote-control timer and a tripod, she photographs herself and others in sensual connection with the trees of the world. Weaving fine art photography, natural history, nature connection, conservation, and the ecopsychology of the human-tree relationship, this book is an invitation to heal from the madness of modern civilization and rewild ourselves by cultivating our own intimate relationship with nature. Each tree species, includes one to four photographs, the tree's natural history, ethnobotany and conservation status, and a narrative caption of TreeGirl's encounter with the tree. Five essays holistically address aspects of the human-tree relationship: the sensual (physical), the biophilic (ecopsychological), the arboricultural (ecological), the archetypal (spiritual) and the practical (therapeutic). • "Lovers" tells a dreamy tale of TreeGirl's sensual and transmutational encounter with a tree; • "Tree Affinity" explains the biology and psychology of why we are attracted to trees; • "Touch Trees" examines a holistic view of arboriculture • "The Goddess and the Green Man" is the story of TreeGirl's own spiritual encounters with trees as female and male Nature archetypes. • "Rewilding," offers 7 accessible ways of connecting with nature to rewild oneself. The Foreword is by Fred Hageneder, German tree authority, author and musician. Thoroughly researched and stunningly illustrated with over 150 color photographs, this interdisciplinary coffee table book is an inspiration and a resource for any tree lover. |
“The juxtapositions in TreeGirl create tension, a startled moment where different forms of beauty and life are unexpectedly entwined, where the ancient meets the pristine, old bark and new skin. With her loving embrace, Julianne melts the categories with which we divide this world—trees, humans, soil, sky. Seeing nature and life as other than ourself allowed humans to dominate the earth and desecrate the forests, fields, and waters without a qualm. Some may ask why a woman nude in a tree? The physical and venerable glory of two sinuous life forms, human and arboreal, asks us why are we denuding the earth. If we lose the forests, we are all lost. Think of Tree Girl as a vulnerable prayer to what makes us humane and kind.”
– Paul Hawken, author of Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Propose to Reverse Global Warming
"Julianne Skai Arbor’s stunning photographs state grand truths— that the earth is our mother, we are part of her, and she has much divine wisdom to teach us. Arbor’s naked, dependent vulnerability speaks courageously to the unmasking of our society’s illusion that setting aside more wilderness and our technological fixes are the answers to solving our environmental crisis and biodiversity losses. They are not. This beautiful book is about building a new indigenous culture of place—where treegirls and treeboys become household words and our species is called to move ever more frequently from our heads down into our hearts—restoring that ancient, deep, rich and essential personal relationship with nature using the full spectrum of our humanity. It is us as artists, stewards, storytellers, foragers, mythmakers, singers, and reverencers who— in reuniting with nature— will ultimately heal the planet and ourselves."
– M. Kat Anderson, author of Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources
"A remarkable book! TreeGirl has created a work that is moving and meaningful. Our shared creatureliness, vulnerability and interconnectedness with the life of trees is conveyed with great beauty and power. It encourages us to let go of our shyness, our inhibitions, to instead celebrate our relationship to these mighty beings who are so peaceful and yet so powerful. The result is truly breathtaking."
– Phillip Carr-Gomm, Chief of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and author of Sacred Places and The Prophecies
"TreeGirl is a force of nature. She is a powerful friend and ally to trees. If we are to survive, we must all fall in love with the natural world, and fight to protect it. TreeGirl helps us to remember our place in the natural world.”
– Derrick Jensen, author of The Myth of Human Supremacy, A Language Older Than Words, Endgame, and Strangely Like War: The Global Assault on Forests.
"An art form that deserves world recognition… I have never seen anything like it. The closest thing it reminds me of are Van Gogh’s hidden images of spirits in some of his paintings…Things like this will make a difference.”
– Michael Harner, founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, author of The Way of the Shaman: A Guide to Power and Healing
"Beauty is as Beauty does. Inspiring, original, and adventurous, Julianne Skai Arbor has created something personal, magical, and truly rooted. TreeGirl: Intimate Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature fairly glows with the eros of connection!
– Stephanie Mills, author of Epicurean Simplicity and In Service of the Wild.
"A brilliant body of work! Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature is the perfect marriage: gorgeous nude fine-art photography book meets arboriculturist's master class. TreeGirl has set a new precedent for us all to see—and know—ourselves as one with wild nature."
– Erica Mueller, Founder and Photographer - the Embody Project
"Julianne Skai Arbor is a tree hugger—literally, and for good reason: she understands the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of trees. This book offers far more than photography: it deeply informs us about trees—their botanical characteristics and their vital place in human culture for countless millennia. The result is a masterpiece that defies categorization but is easy to enjoy."
– Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute; author of Our Renewable Future, Peak Everything, and The Party's Over.
"In the steps of Thomas Pakenham, TreeGirl has produced a unique work that combines a personal (physical & spiritual) ecopsychological connection with a historical and naturalist’s understanding of trees. TreeGirl’s iconic book is an artful mix of the female and arboreal form."
–Dr. Joe Hinds, Psychologist & Psychotherapist, co-author of Ecotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
"Julianne Skai Arbor’s indefatigable photographic and personal journey is a visually honest record that both transcends and concretizes the sometimes ambiguously employed phrase “nature connection.” Ecopsychologically speaking, the intimate and loving proximity of her nude body to the robustness and grace of grand-old trees creates a modern Celtic Ogham."
– Dr. Jorge Conesa-Sevilla, Professor of Psychology, National University; Founder, International Ecopsychology Society
“This delightfully unique book about a woman's love affair with trees argues for returning to a conscious dialog with Nature and appreciating its mysteries. The stunning photos of the author's naked body all but merging with Baobab trees and other magnificent specimens, offers a romance of the senses. TREEGIRL yields the perfect antidote to our technology-addicted world.”
– Erica Abeel, author of Wild Girls
" Julianne Skai Arbor's beautiful photography and writing serve as an inspiring reminder that the more-than-human world awaits not only our appreciation but also our intimate friendship.
– Tina Fields, Ph.D., Chair of M.A. Program in Ecopsychology at Naropa University
"A stunning work of art."
– Laurent Dick, photographer, Wild Alaska Travel
– Paul Hawken, author of Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Propose to Reverse Global Warming
"Julianne Skai Arbor’s stunning photographs state grand truths— that the earth is our mother, we are part of her, and she has much divine wisdom to teach us. Arbor’s naked, dependent vulnerability speaks courageously to the unmasking of our society’s illusion that setting aside more wilderness and our technological fixes are the answers to solving our environmental crisis and biodiversity losses. They are not. This beautiful book is about building a new indigenous culture of place—where treegirls and treeboys become household words and our species is called to move ever more frequently from our heads down into our hearts—restoring that ancient, deep, rich and essential personal relationship with nature using the full spectrum of our humanity. It is us as artists, stewards, storytellers, foragers, mythmakers, singers, and reverencers who— in reuniting with nature— will ultimately heal the planet and ourselves."
– M. Kat Anderson, author of Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources
"A remarkable book! TreeGirl has created a work that is moving and meaningful. Our shared creatureliness, vulnerability and interconnectedness with the life of trees is conveyed with great beauty and power. It encourages us to let go of our shyness, our inhibitions, to instead celebrate our relationship to these mighty beings who are so peaceful and yet so powerful. The result is truly breathtaking."
– Phillip Carr-Gomm, Chief of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and author of Sacred Places and The Prophecies
"TreeGirl is a force of nature. She is a powerful friend and ally to trees. If we are to survive, we must all fall in love with the natural world, and fight to protect it. TreeGirl helps us to remember our place in the natural world.”
– Derrick Jensen, author of The Myth of Human Supremacy, A Language Older Than Words, Endgame, and Strangely Like War: The Global Assault on Forests.
"An art form that deserves world recognition… I have never seen anything like it. The closest thing it reminds me of are Van Gogh’s hidden images of spirits in some of his paintings…Things like this will make a difference.”
– Michael Harner, founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, author of The Way of the Shaman: A Guide to Power and Healing
"Beauty is as Beauty does. Inspiring, original, and adventurous, Julianne Skai Arbor has created something personal, magical, and truly rooted. TreeGirl: Intimate Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature fairly glows with the eros of connection!
– Stephanie Mills, author of Epicurean Simplicity and In Service of the Wild.
"A brilliant body of work! Intimate Encounters with Wild Nature is the perfect marriage: gorgeous nude fine-art photography book meets arboriculturist's master class. TreeGirl has set a new precedent for us all to see—and know—ourselves as one with wild nature."
– Erica Mueller, Founder and Photographer - the Embody Project
"Julianne Skai Arbor is a tree hugger—literally, and for good reason: she understands the ecological, cultural, and economic importance of trees. This book offers far more than photography: it deeply informs us about trees—their botanical characteristics and their vital place in human culture for countless millennia. The result is a masterpiece that defies categorization but is easy to enjoy."
– Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute; author of Our Renewable Future, Peak Everything, and The Party's Over.
"In the steps of Thomas Pakenham, TreeGirl has produced a unique work that combines a personal (physical & spiritual) ecopsychological connection with a historical and naturalist’s understanding of trees. TreeGirl’s iconic book is an artful mix of the female and arboreal form."
–Dr. Joe Hinds, Psychologist & Psychotherapist, co-author of Ecotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
"Julianne Skai Arbor’s indefatigable photographic and personal journey is a visually honest record that both transcends and concretizes the sometimes ambiguously employed phrase “nature connection.” Ecopsychologically speaking, the intimate and loving proximity of her nude body to the robustness and grace of grand-old trees creates a modern Celtic Ogham."
– Dr. Jorge Conesa-Sevilla, Professor of Psychology, National University; Founder, International Ecopsychology Society
“This delightfully unique book about a woman's love affair with trees argues for returning to a conscious dialog with Nature and appreciating its mysteries. The stunning photos of the author's naked body all but merging with Baobab trees and other magnificent specimens, offers a romance of the senses. TREEGIRL yields the perfect antidote to our technology-addicted world.”
– Erica Abeel, author of Wild Girls
" Julianne Skai Arbor's beautiful photography and writing serve as an inspiring reminder that the more-than-human world awaits not only our appreciation but also our intimate friendship.
– Tina Fields, Ph.D., Chair of M.A. Program in Ecopsychology at Naropa University
"A stunning work of art."
– Laurent Dick, photographer, Wild Alaska Travel
