Mopa Mopa Plant: From Rainforest to Artwork

Welcome!

Welcome to This Month in the Garden! On a recent trip, I learned about yet another amazing plant and the fascinating history behind it. Mopa Mopa tree (scientific name Elaeagia pastoensis) is native to the higher elevation, humid rainforests in southwestern Colombia where the Andes meet the Amazon. Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, it can reach 13 to 32 feet in height and is very difficult to find or cultivate outside its native region. Mopa Mopa belongs to the Rubiaceae family, which is the same botanical family which includes coffee, and the resin of the tree is the essential material behind Barniz de Pasto, or Pasto varnish, one of Colombia’s most distinctive traditional art forms. 

Mopa Mopa Tree Artwork

The material prized by artisans is concentrated around the plant's developing leaf buds and shoots. A resinous substance accumulates around these tender growing portions, forming a protective coating. Harvesters pick the sticky leaf buds and shoots of the tree, then the material is heated in water, softened, worked and cleaned until all the unwanted plant material has been removed. As the remaining material is heated, it becomes soft, pliable and elastic. Traditionally the artisans would stretch it by hand or with their teeth into paper-thin, glowing sheets.

The Process (Photo Credit: The Mask Aruba)

Modern workshops now use mechanical methods for some portions of the process, but the fundamental knowledge remains similar. Considerable skill is required because the material must remain warm and flexible without becoming unusable. The resin can occur naturally in shades ranging from yellowish to green; however, once processed the colors can be amplified before being cut and inlayed onto carved wood objects. The artisan places the colored resin over a wooden object and cuts the material with a sharp knife. Extremely fine cuts can produce leaves, flowers, birds, animals, geometric forms and elaborate scrolling patterns. Although the finished objects may look like lacquer, Mopa Mopa is something quite different. 

Mopa Mopa Artwork

Mopa mopa is not a recent discovery. Archaeological and historical evidence indicates that related resins have been used by Indigenous peoples in the region for more than a thousand years. The material had a number of uses besides for decoration. Historical evidence indicates that Mopa Mopa and related resins could serve as adhesives, sealants and protective coatings. It was also used in other ceremonial and decorative applications. The art is not simply a reflection of decorative style. It represents the survival, evolution and knowledge surrounding a particular plant, its environment and its extraordinary physical properties. 

Mopa Mopa Artwork

Symbols & Colors: In Mopa Mopa artwork, each symbol and color has a meaning. While circles represent totality (earth, wind, fire and water), rebirth and wealth, tears symbolize the elimination of sorrow and pain, while flowers bring peace, love and tranquility. Yellow symbolizes the power of the sun, red is for wisdom, green represents nature and the color blue is the representation of the cosmos and air, bringing tranquility, peace and health. 

The Mopa Mopa tree faces serious threats of decline due to deforestation, regional development, and climate change in southwest Colombia and today very few master artisans remain. On December 16, 2020 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization recognized the need to safeguard this tradition and declared Mopa Mopa art a "Cultural Heritage of Humanity". The story of the Mopa Mopa tree is a reminder that art can be forever intertwined with nature.

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Until we Meet Again...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee Miller @A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2026. All rights reserved.

New England Gardens: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum Rhode Island

BLITHEWOLD MANSION AND GARDENS

On a recent trip I had the pleasure of visiting the picturesque and serene Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum located on the Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island.  The area was developed in the mid 1890's when Pennsylvania coal magnate, Augustus Van Wickle and his wife Bessie purchased the land and built the first Blithewold mansion.  After Augustus's death in 1989, Bessie re-married William McKee in 1901 and after a disastrous fire in 1906, the original home was replaced with the mansion that exists today.  Bessie and her older daughter Marjorie Van Wickle proved to be talented horticulturists and Marjorie carried on her mothers legacy by developing the remaining 33 acres of Blithewold into the gardens that exist today. The mansion and grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and are enjoyed by visitors.

BLITHEWOLD MANSION

BLITHEWOLD MANSION

BLITHEWOLD MANSION

NORTH GARDEN

NORTH GARDEN

NORTH GARDEN

NORTH GARDEN

 

ENCLOSED GARDEN

VISITORS CENTER AND GARDEN

MOON GATE AND GARDENS

GARDENS

LILLIUM

ALLIUM SEED HEAD

NORTH GARDEN FOUNTAIN

BLITHEWOLD ART EXHIBITION 

As part of an ongoing art exhibition " Sculpture Embraces Horticulture", several artists were featured in the gardens at the time of our trip using the elements of sun, rain and wind to power their creations. The above sculpture is a sunflower spiral solar powered creation from artist George Sherwood.  Sherwood’s sculptures are based on movement that is a combination of both subtle and obvious. At times it appears his sculptures do not move at all, and at other times the colorful stainless steel reflective discus twinkle with each breeze, integrating art with nature. 

BLITHEWOLD ART EXHIBITION 

Charissa Brock creates art with bamboo and was intrigued by the gardens and bamboo grove at Blithewold which is quite large for New England with its cold winters. Brock integrates the motion of the wind with bamboo and has created large “feathers” out of bamboo canes. Each feather has a skirt of short bamboo pieces and when the wind blows the feathers play with the wind creating music.

BAMBOO GROVE

WATER FEATURE IN DISPLAY GARDENS

SHRUB WALK

SARGENT'S WEEPING HEMLOCK

These gardens were certainly an enjoyable visit.  I was happy to read that in order to preserve the integrity of Blithewold a small group of concerned citizens banded together and raised funding to keep it open to the public. They became known as Blithewold, Inc. and in 2010 along with Preserve Rhode Island, an amended lease for a period of 99 years was created with an extension option, so that Blithewold would be protected for the future. Today it is considered to be one of the finest gardens in New England and received a certificate of excellence in 2014.

 I hope you enjoyed the visit.  As Always...Happy Gardening!

For more information visit Blithewold.

Linking with Tuesday Garden Party

Author: Lee@A Guide To Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved

Gardening Through the Seasons: Digital Art

On this chilly February day I decided to get into the creative spirit and portray the seasons with some digital art.  I went through my photo collection from throughout the past year and selected four captures that are reminiscent of each season.   After several hours and using a combination of adobe filters, I arrived at these finished views. Descriptions of each photo are supplied explaining the combinations of filters I used for each one.  I hope you enjoy the tour of the seasons from a different perspective!

Coral Bark Maple Oil Filter and Dry Brush Stroke

Throughout the seasons the gardens are changing.  In winter the harshness of the landscape can be brightened by the glowing of red bark or golden hue of some evergreens.   The drifting snow blanketing the garden adds its own softness and beauty.

 Oriental Spruce Skylands Oil Filter (Double Applied)

Ice Crystal on Spruce Oil Filter-Dry Brush-Poster Edges

Winter Scene Oil Filter (Triple Applied)

Spring is an array of hues resembling watercolors on a painting.  When spring comes to mind I think of the some of the first signs...tulips, crocus, daffodils and allium rising up from the once frozen ground.

Tulip Art Cut Out Filter

Crocus Pallete Knife and Poster Edge Filters

Daffodil Oil Filter (Applied Twice)

Allium Bloom Cut Out and Oil Filters

Summer reminds me of roses, dragonflies and petals of brilliant colored flowers, all combining into a wonderful palette of color.

Rose Garden Oil Filter

Dragonfly on Salvia Oil Filter

Stella D 'Oro Daylily Oil Filter

Stargazer Lily Cut Out Filter

Autumn is its own mosaic of all the colors together with hues of reds, golds, tans and oranges that are the highlights of the garden.  I also think of fall as a time when wispy plumes of ornamental grasses and dried seed heads are seen throughout the landscape.

Sunflower Cut Out Filter

Nandina domestica Oil Filter

Maiden Grasses Oil and Dry Brush Filters

Fall Seed Pods Filter Grain and Oil Filters

I like to think of the garden as a fluid or changing canvas or perhaps a painting in motion.    I hope these seasonal photos helped to brighten your day. I am linking this post with Creative Country Mom's Tuesday Garden Party, Today's Flowers, Floral Fridays, Mosaic Monday at Lavender Cottage, I Heart Macro and Macro Monday 2.  Please be sure to give them a visit.  Thank you for stopping by....

And As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee@A Guide to Northeastern Gardening, © Copyright 2015. All rights reserved