Figure in Landscape No 18 2010 Oil Painting 750mm x 1060mm A small Ti-tree with little purchase clinging to life on the end of a ridge line, surviving. It is hard to imagine how tenuous life is for some people. These are the poor. The Greek words used by Jesus in this beatitude means a class of people. Our modern term 'hoi poloi' , for populous, comes from this beatitude. Yet somehow , Jesus turns this status on its head and proclaims that the Kingdom of heaven is theirs. So this insignificant tree is iconised in a painting almost as large as itself. It is given a central place of glory. For this tree dwells in a kingdom of two hundred and seventy degree splendor. It has one of the most magnificent views on earth. It's real estate is such that kings would pay a high price. Painting it also came at a price. It was not an easy location to visit nor a safe location to perch on, requiring perfect still weather. The results though have been worth the wait. 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' Matt 5:3