The inspiration for this project came when I was called to say goodbye to two Japanese Maple trees growing in my parent's backyard that they were taking out in order to make room for a different project. These maples had lived - witnessed - all the goings-on in my parents living room for the last 15 years and now, in just a few minutes, they were going to become stumps. These trees showed me that they could become sentinels for the land. Grown from the soil, water, and nutrients of this place, now they stand watch as guardians and reminders of the endless cycle of nature.