Red Earth Memory – Curtis Pieratt

Description

Red Earth Memory by Curtis Pieratt

Dimensions: 23 x 8.5 inches

The Rarity, Age, and Beauty of Black Redwood Black redwood is one of nature’s most elusive treasures — a wood born from time, pressure, and perfect conditions. Found only in ancient fallen redwood trees, this dark, richly toned burl is not a species, but a rare natural phenomenon, often hidden deep within centuries-old trunks. Its deep chocolate to near-black hues are created over decades, sometimes centuries, as the heartwood slowly darkens through oxidation, mineral absorption, and decay processes that halt just before petrification.

Each slab of black redwood tells a story measured not in years, but in lifetimes. The wild swirling grain, chatoyant shimmer, and sculpted burl edges are evidence of a long, quiet evolution underground or in dense, misty forest floors. These pieces are not harvested — they are recovered, often from remote forestland, and painstakingly preserved to honor their legacy.

What makes black redwood so extraordinary:

• Extremely rare — formed only under rare environmental conditions in old-growth trees
• Naturally darkened — deep, rich tones from centuries of natural aging
• Irreplaceable — most modern redwood lacks the color and burl structure of these ancient specimens
• Sustainably salvaged — no living trees are felled to obtain it.

With its mysterious depth and timeless beauty, black redwood is more than wood — it’s living history, frozen in time and shaped by the Earth itself. Ideal for fine art, sculpture, or statement furniture, it embodies both natural power and refined elegance.

Where to see more art by Curtis Pieratt online:

See all works by this artist on the Santa Cruz Art Expressions’ artist bio page for Curtis Pieratt 

How to see more in person:

See all works in person at Santa Cruz Art Expressions every First Friday from 5-9pm in Downtown Santa Cruz

Contact Santa Cruz Art Expressions to schedule private viewings