Downturn

A great piece of art.

Really appeals to me. Sorry I can't answer your question re tree growth though.

https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/629830#:~:text=Tree%20trunks%20are%20often%20curved,useful%20indication%20of%20slope%20instability Perhaps this might help - if the link works?

If you can't make the link work - highlighting it, clicking, and then right-clicking worked for me - the answers seem to be a) soil-shifting - which might happen for several reasons - b) light-sensitive specimens: I didn't fully understand that, or rather forgot the answer within seconds of reading it.... I presume they twist and turn to avoid the dominating light-source, but I wouldn't rely on my interpretation... I do know of certain species which just grow that way: there's a willow, holding on to the edge of the landslip here, which a German-born neighbour christened as "the curly-wurly tree". Anyway - I like your painting; it's amazing what catches our eye and can make for a good painting: provided there's a bit of imagination and creativity behind that eye, of course.

Good question - I don't know - but this is a v nice painting anthony

I always appreciate the encouraging comments received here. I am always seeking to try new things, maybe break the 'rules' sometimes ( but hey, what are rules for?)Regarding this one in particular I feel so indebted for the helpful responses to my query. I shall lose no time in following them up. Big Thankyou to all