Since ancient times, among midwives and birth assistants, the human placenta has long been known as "The Tree of Life" -- with the umbilical cord resembling a 'Trunk', the arteries and veins resembling 'Branches', and the overall shape of the organ very suggestive of the canopy of a tree....

1st in a short series, this hand-pulled print was created in acrylics using a most unusual canvas -- an actual, painted, positioned, newborn human placenta, immediately following the calm and peaceful home birth of a close friend and fellow artist (during which I was most privileged to attend as labor/delivery support).... Does it not look exactly like a tree?