"… And the sun was shining as it’s never shone before in 1944. Our chestnut tree is in full bloom. It’s covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year.” Anne Frank , Diary of a Young Girl
Anne Frank loved this chestnut tree and I have painted it in her memory , and to bring the message from Annes Diary to the world today , a message that we all need to keep in our hearts.
“As long as this exists, this sunshine and this cloudless sky and as long as I can enjoy it how can I be sad.”
Anne Frank died aged 15 after hiding from her persecutors for 2 years, enclosed in a secret attic, where this beautiful chestnut tree was her only link with nature.
In her all too short life, she realised how hatred of others because of racial differences was the root of so much needless destruction. Alas, Anne was never given time to blossom because she was Jewish, and still today in the world we are confronted by so many children not given time to blossom because of intolerance and violent hatred.
“I firmly believe that nature can bring comfort to all that suffer”
I have painted this iconic tree in all its beauty, in the hope that all the children of the world can one day be allowed to blossom. When the tree is auctioned , all the proceeds will go to The Anne Frank Trust UK , which works tirelessly in schools , prisons and communities to help build a society based on mutual respect, compassion for others and human rights.
“The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God. For then,
and only then, can you feel that everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature’s beauty and simplicity.”
Please help me achieve the highest price for this painting ,which is my best, and my most important , work to date , so I can help The Anne Frank Trust continue their work in Anne name .
We need to be positive in this world and to be kind to everyone, all shapes, races and sizes. PLEASE think carefully before judging someone badly, why not show understanding and love instead of anger and hate……Make this world a better place for us all and our childrens children…….Give thought and warmth to how you act to others and I think being aware we will all hug the world and BLOSSOM together.
We owe it to humankind.
Love and Light Cindy
xx
While the Torah Scroll is being placed in the Ark, the following to ”as of old” is said:
It is a tree of life to those who grasp it; and happy is everyone that upholds it.
Its ways are of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace.
Otto Franks favourite quote "IF THE WORLD WERE TO END TOMORROW, I WOULD STILL PLANT A TREE TODAY" how amazing to be so full of hope, he said this after his time in Auschwitz, it is a testament to his continued belief in humanity.
I had the honour to met Emma Thompson a couple of years ago. What an amazing women, she does soo much for charity. Emma was delighted to see my painting of Anne Franks tree. You will see Emma has auctually replanted the original tree from a cutting and is growing well. Emma cant be at the tree planting for Annes 79th birthday June 12th due to filming.
Thank you Emma for all your support!
LET US BE GRATEFUL TO PEOPLE WHO MAKE US HAPPY. THEY ARE THE CHARMING GARDENERS WHO MAKE OUR SOULS BLOSSOM. (THANK YOU).
Marcel Proust.
I cried when I left.
We had been ushered through the small, dark, bleak hideout where Anne Frank had hidden. We had seen the sterile white and grey corridor filled with photos of the concentration camp and video footage of a woman throwing a parcel over the wall to Anne – the last time she had heard from her.
My tears were of anger, frustration and sadness for Anne and her family. Then there was the tree.
I had glimpsed it, as Anne once did, from the attic window. I was also allowed into the garden that lies next to the one where the tree stands. I tried to imagine Anne looking out of the window at the tree, but to my despair was then told she had no window to look out from – to be seen was just too risky. An occasional peep at night-time was probably all she could be allowed.
I love trees with a passion. I hope that gazing even occasionally at the top of this one would have given her some solace and comfort.
Outside, I was overwhelmed with the number of people queuing outside; the constant flow of people honouring this amazing girl. It is as if even with the horror of what happened, the struggle to survive and the eventual inevitability of Anne and her family’s death, the house serves to remind the world of this piece of human history.
Being female and Jewish, I do identify with Anne. I had the privilege of being brought up in a middle class home in north London, but at school I remember being called a “stinking Jew”. I was only 4ft 9”, but I still stood up for myself. However, to me Anne Frank’s story – and everything the tree symbolises – is not just about being Jewish. The world is sadly still full of racism, intolerance, hatred and anger. For those, like me, who believe in love, spirituality and the prospect of a better world, the tree is about hope. And for the sake of our children, hope must never be allowed to die.
I am honoured to have painted the tree that Anne once saw. I hope this painting brings you comfort and hope too.
I am so touched to have been asked to paint Anne Frank’s tree. Emma Thompson has kindly agreed to the unveiling on June 12th 2008, which would have been Anne’s 79th birthday... This painting is being auctioned and will let you know near the time where and when.
I am hoping the painting of her tree will continue to bring and raise awareness of what Anne, her family and six million others went through. All monies raised from it's sale will be donated to help continue that awareness through supporting the work of the Anne Frank Trust, the British educational charity which works with young people to challenge prejudice and hatred by promoting positive attitudes, responsibility and respect for others.
If you'd like to know more please to www.annefrank.org.uk and look under support and you will find a link about the tree painting. NO TIME TO BLOSSOM is now on view at Enid Lawson Gallery at 11 New Cavendish Street, London W1. The painting auction wil be at Christies in London next year 2009. Detail will follow of the actual date.
Bertha Klug I had the pleasure to meet at The Anne Franks Trust headquarters last week for her 88th birthday. This wonderful, charming lady started the Anne Frank trust at 19 years old. She knew the story and met Otto Frank and wanted to help. There are few people in ones lives that bring such light! WHAT A FANTASTIC WOMEN always helping others, thank you life for letting me met Bee!
Nastasha Marsh and I were invited to the Houses of Parliament, June of this year. Natasha sung beautifully and it was a perfect setting for me to unveil No Time to Blossom. It was a very moving day as all the MPS were there to support awareness to all races. Nic Creem who made the Anne Frank Declaration happen was there. I knew history had and was being made.
What a wonderful morning! M.P. Nick Taylor made it possible to plant this tree, what should have been Anne Franks 79th birthday, with a plaque too. Emma Thompson was busy filming so could not be there. Delightful Michael Winner did us the honours instead.
At Bee's apartment with Karen and I. Bee said Otto Frank would have loved the painting I did of Anne's tree.
From left to right Lara & Elise Wootliff behind Karen Wootliff, infront Oliver & jack Lass,
Bee Klugh, Eva Schloss, behind Nick Paget Brown, Lord Taylor of Warwick ME, Lisa Voice and Nic Careem.
No Time to Blossom has already a bid £30 000. Thank you to the Enid Lawson Gallery in New Cavendish Street W1 for hanging this painting there. All proceeds are going to the AnneFranks Trust. I'm pleased to be auctioning it at Christies next year 2009.
Also I am setting up a charity called TREE OF HOPE. it will mean planting trees all over the world; with children from war zone countries to help plant them. To make us realise that without hope, nature, and understanding it will not give energy and communication for our children of tomorrow to allow them to live in harmony!
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