This museum grade fine art photograph is available in a fine art limited edition of 200, signed and numbered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance.
Medusa - Tree of Life Portland Japanese Garden Japanese Maple in Fall after the Leaves Have Fallen
Upper Pond, Strolling Pond Garden, Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, Oregon
National Geographic Tree Garnet Laceleaf Japanese Maple Sits Bare at the Portland Japanese Garden in Late Fall after Most of the Leaves Have Fallen
The branches of "The Famous Tree" Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum var. dissectum 'Garnet') in the Portland Japanese Garden lie bare in the late fall after most of the autumn leaves have fallen. Its twisted, serpentine trunk and branches lie mostly leafless, resembling Medusa's snake hair. Red and orange peak fall color leaves still adorn bits of the upper canopy on the east side of the tree and one of the lower branches, creating a stark contrast against the wet, bare branches of this famous tree known as the "Tree of Life" and the "National Geographic Tree."
Upper Pond, normally blocked from this angle in typical photos of "The Tree" shows through its bare branches, as a beautiful carpet of red and orange lace leaves covers a round shrub next to the pond. Moon Bridge is visible across the pond, an iconic feature of the Strolling Pond Garden (Chisen Kaiyu Shiki Teien) at the Portland Japanese Garden normally blocked from this angle by the tree's vibrant display of leaves.
Yellow, gold, red and orange peak fall colors still adorn the leaves of the 'Osakazuki' Upright Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki') and 'Emperor I' Upright Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum 'Wolff') growing across the pond near Moon Bridge, as the green shrubs lining the shore reflect in the pond's still waters.
Unexpected Beauty in Nature: The story of Beauty at the Tree of Life after Heavy Rain
The day before, the leaves of this world-famous Weeping Laceleaf Japanese Maple were just at the cusp of peak fall color. As a lifelong Oregonian living only 20 minutes away from the Portland Japanese Garden and having been visiting it for most of my life (over 4 decades), I knew the next day or two would bring forth the peak fall color display in all its glory. The fall colors were arriving later than usual this year due to the weather, and I was worried the incoming overnight rains might knock the leaves off the tree before they fully arrived. Still, I felt the bare tree against a blanket of color on the ground would be a stunning sight if that happened.
Heavy overnight rains blasted the tree, stripping off 90% of its leaves overnight. The few that remained were at peak fall color, a striking contrast against the bare, twisted trunk and branches which resembled Medusa's hair as they stood bare and wet in the early morning light. I was the first person through the gate, and I sprinted up the hill in hopes to capture any fallen leaves before they were raked up. In a twist of fate, the gardeners at the garden had actually worked hard to rake up the majority of the leaves before the garden opened at 8am to photographers like myself with the photography membership.
As I arrived, the gardeners were just leaving after having finished up. They are incredibly quick about raking up any fallen leaves around this tree, and that was certainly the case here. Still, a few deep crimson and orange leaves remained on the soft bed of vibrant green, wet moss. It was an unexpected addition to this different but beautiful and surreal scene. The bare frame of the tree combined with the wet rain really brought out the gorgeous red shades on the lower bark, creating a stunning contrast of colors against the green bed of moss, Moon Bridge and the colorful Upright Japanese Maples still adorned with peak fall color across the pond.
I've long felt the true beauty in nature doesn't lie in the forced image, but the expected beauty we find when we slow down, take in the scene and truly witness whatever beauty lies before us. That's exactly what happened here, it's not the typical scene this famous tree is known for, but it's an equally beautiful scene with a rare beauty most don't expect here. I suppose that's the benefit of living here for 4 plus decades, you learn to look for the unexpected wonders that occur in the aftermath of the typical Pacific Northwest rains.
Technical Specifications
- Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
- Lens: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
- Settings: 16mm | f/11 | 5.0 Seconds | ISO 100
- Process: Single Exposure | Bespoke Multi-Layer Noise Management (Manual Masking to preserve fine detail and raw data integrity)
Note on Provenance
Captured using the single exposure workflow of the "Mead Method," developed over 15 years of fine art landscape experience. This image preserves a genuine, single moment in time executed entirely in the field without the use of composites, sky swaps, or generative AI. Just a single moment in time, preserved.
Photo © copyright by James Mead.
Chromaluxe® Metal Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Vibrant. Modern. Impactful.
My Chromaluxe® Metal Fine Art Prints offer a sleek, modern presentation that’s both bold and beautiful. Using a high-heat dye sublimation process, each image is infused directly into a specially coated aluminum panel resulting in vibrant colors, ultra-sharp detail, and a striking glossy finish. The dye sublimation process infuses the image directly into the metal, creating a scratch resistant surface while helping provide permanent protection.
These prints feature:
• Vivid, color-rich surfaces ideal for modern spaces
• High contrast and incredible sharpness: perfect for clean compositions and bold landscapes
• Durable and lightweight aluminum construction
• Float mount backing for a frameless, floating display. Ready to hang out of the box
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
These metal prints are ideal for collectors seeking a contemporary look with museum-quality output. Resistant to scratch, moisture and UV fading, they work beautifully in both home and office settings.
Select a print size:
Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Gallery Float Ready to Hang
Museum-Grade Brilliance. Gallery-Worthy Depth.
Bring home the brilliance of nature with the industry’s finest print medium. My Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints are crafted using a state-of-the-art process that infuses archival pigments into a transparency layer, backed by a clear acrylic backer and mounted under crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic. This creates a luminous, almost 3D effect. Colors appear to glow from within.
These gallery-grade prints feature:
• Incredible depth and clarity, fine details leap off the wall
• Exceptional color fidelity with deep saturation and smooth tonal gradations
• Anti-reflective, scratch-resistant museum grade 1/8” TruLife® acrylic offering unmatched viewing clarity under all lighting
• UV Resistant: TruLife® acrylic blocks up to 99% of UV rays
• 1/8" clear acrylic backer mounted using an archival adhesive layer
• 1.25” Roma wooden rear float mount frame inset 2” from the edge for a clean, frameless display that is ready to hang
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 3-4 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether you're designing a luxury interior or curating a personal gallery, these prints are built to impress and designed to last a lifetime.
Select a print size:
Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints | Museum-Quality Ready to Hang
Timeless elegance. Unrivaled depth. A true centerpiece.
My Roma Framed Lumachrome TruLife® Acrylic HD Fine Art Prints represent the pinnacle of archival display. These statement pieces combine the award-winning brilliance of Lumachrome HD with the craftsmanship of custom Roma wood mouldings, transforming your chosen image into an heirloom-worthy work of art.
Each piece is handcrafted by master printmakers and framers in the USA using museum-grade materials. The print itself is infused with archival pigments into a transparency layer, mounted to an archival acrylic backer and face-mounted and sealed under a 1/8" layer of crystal-clear TruLife® acrylic: a premium optically-coated surface that eliminates reflections and enhances depth, vibrance, and clarity.
Surrounding this luminous presentation is your choice of genuine Roma Moulding, hand-built with a choice of 3.5" or 4" Italian made wooden Roma frame with a 3" black linen liner for a refined, framed, museum grade appearance. This adds approximately 13 to 14 inches to both the height and width of the final piece. This level of finish is rarely seen outside of luxury interiors and gallery exhibitions.
After placing your order, I’ll reach out personally to confirm your ideal frame and liner pairing from my curated Roma collection. If you’d prefer to finalize your framing choice in advance, feel free to reach out any time for a custom recommendation.
These museum grade works of art feature:
• Gallery-grade presentation with luminous depth and 3D effect
• TruLife® acrylic: anti-reflective, scratch-resistant, and blocks 99% of UV
• Archival quality construction with pH-neutral adhesive and backer
• Available in your choice of 3.5" or 4" Roma wood mouldings with a black linen liner for a framed, museum-grade appearance
• Museum-grade 3" black linen liner for added depth and visual separation
• Signed and Numbered Limited Editions of 200
• Signed Certificate of Authenticity (COA) provided for additional provenance
• Hand Crafted in the USA by our master printmakers
• Ready to hang out of the box: no glass or framing required
Please contact me for Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping rates. Please allow 4-5 weeks for production and delivery.
Whether displayed in a luxury residence, corporate lobby, or fine art collection, these framed prints command attention and offer a sense of permanence few art mediums can match.
Select a print size:
These are investment-grade art pieces designed to last generations. If you have any questions, need any mock-ups or if you need anything else before purchase, please reach out and I will be in contact shortly.