Personal - Rainbow Tree Artwork

Hi Blog,

After returning from my trip to Taiwan, I was handed a big project with only a few days to complete it, so there was no time to waste.

I made sure to gather all the necessary materials ahead of time, like boxes, paint, and cutting tools. Most importantly, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to achieve.

You might wonder why I’m doing this. My friends wanted to have a New Year celebration with elderly, peers, and youngsters from our religious group, and I volunteered to make a giant tree to symbolize spring’s new growth after winter—a rebirth and a reminder to live with hope.

I tried to document the making process since this big project was something I could only handle myself, as everyone else was busy with other tasks in preparation for the event.

(26th Dec 2025 - First day of Making) Thanks to my sister for delivering these long boxes from her stall. I can only imagine having to carry them on public transportation twice to get to the destination. Alright! Let's Start!

I figured I could either take the easy route and make a simple tree, since it would be discarded after just one day, or go for something more complex that required more effort. I chose the tough option, using tape to create a tree bark texture, and it actually worked in a way. But... I only had enough tape to cover one and a half sides of the large box.

Since I couldn’t get enough tape, I decided to cut the box opening for tree branches instead and...

Cut all branches...

(27th Dec 2025 - 2nd Day of making) I was considering whether to go with minimal effort by making four branches or take on more complexity and work by making eight. After some thought, I’ve decided to go with eight!

Hmm.... The branches look sharp and unwelcoming, likely to make anyone feel uneasy and on edge...

I didn’t want anyone looking at the tree to feel uneasy, so I trimmed away the sharp ends. I hoped to make it rounder, but the trunk itself isn’t round. Fortunately, I didn’t push myself further because of the time limit.

To add complexity, I just added some more smaller branches.

Done for four branches. Oh my... My back was aching...

Slot in the branch into the opening.

Tada! Hmm... but the branches just can’t seem to stay in the same spot...

In the meantime, I went out to buy some more tapes—ended up getting 9 of them—and my back was feeling so sore.

Time for spraying!

Oops... one can of spray only covers two sides of the large box, so I’ll need to buy more.

How it looked like?

During this time, I felt a bit regretful for wanting to tackle such a complex tree. I was fighting an inner battle, but I chose to let go of the regret and give my best effort.

(28th Dec 2025 - 3rd Day of Making) After my failed morning hike, I decided to be as productive as possible. I grabbed a few cans of spray and ended up breathing in a lot of chemicals.

Completed! The texture looked impressive, and I could stop here for the tree stem, but I have other plans. Not sure if I’ll end up feeling regretful again.

Okay... Let's finish these eight branches!

Take a deep breathe!

Let's go!

One down, seven to go!

Trying to standardize the entire tree.

Next, spraying!

What do you know... not enough spray. The nearby stalls selling black spray seemed quite pleased with my purchase.

This is how it should look!

Let's complete the remaining smaller branches.

Completed!

I was so happy about this! Does it mean I’ve completed the entire tree?

(29th Dec 2025 - 4th Day of Making) I got myself this acrylic paint as I want to make this tree a rainbow eucalyptus deglupta tree. (check the tree out here)

This paint is special - Glow in the dark paint.

I decided to pair contrasting colors to make them pop.

I wondered what they would look like if they were mixed. Yummy!

Let's Go!

Hmm... I wonder if I did a bad job... The paint didn’t turn out the way I wanted. It has a kind of bloody look... I probably should have bought spray paint instead.

I brought my UV torch and it looks great.

(Left) Normal, (Middle) Faint glow, (Right) Under UV torch) Oh no... It looked awful...

I couldn't stop... I just had to continue. I paint another colour and hope for the best.

With the green, it looked... oh no, I really should have stopped there...

Mr. and Mrs. C came by to offer some help, and Mrs. C filmed me working with different colors.

I completed with all colours. How it looks?

I loved how it turned out!

With a UV torch, it looks perfect, and the mix of colors makes it unique.

Disco light! I stopped painting the branches because... of lazy!

Mr. and Mrs. C helped me apply double-sided tape to each cut leaf, which had been prepared by Mr. L while I was in Taiwan, who wanted to contribute.

Mr. L made so many cuts, keeping a steady pattern at first, but I could tell I was asking too much. He kept going until, somehow, he just gave up.

In the end, I also wasted Mr. and Mrs. C’s effort with the double-sided tape because it wouldn’t stick to my dusty branches, so we had to use a stapler instead. Still, I was thankful for their help!

(31st Dec 2025 - Last Day of Making) On the last day, when everyone came together to finish decorating the entire space, I tried to plug all eight branches into the top stem.

My lack of experience and foresight... I tried to secure all eight branches with ropes, but it didn’t quite work out as planned...

Luckily, I had planned ahead and poked small holes while making it for the rope to go through.

Take a look at the overall view of the tree... It’s not quite what I expected, but it’ll be fine.

Happy New year everyone!

Finally, I completed this tree with a crazy idea, pushing myself to give my best, even though it didn’t turn out the way I expected.

Since the event takes place at noon with bright sunlight streaming through the windows, my UV torch won’t have much effect. I just hope the guests can sense the hidden message I’ve embedded in this artwork.

While creating this piece, I noticed an inner conflict— between taking the easy path and giving more than necessary, between creating from meaning and quietly hoping to be recognised.

I questioned why I was willing to put in so much effort for something meant to last only a day, and whether my motivation came from sincerity, insecurity, or a mixture of both.

In the end, this artwork became more than a display; it became a mirror—reminding me that growth often begins when we notice our mixed intentions and still choose to act with care, just like why I chose to create the Rainbow Eucalyptus, because it continually sheds its old bark. At first, the exposed surface can look raw, even a little unattractive—but over time, it transforms into stunning colours.

It’s a reminder that growth isn’t about staying perfect; it’s about letting go, healing, and becoming deeper through what we experience.

By making it glow in the dark, I want to show that some things shine only when light is given to them, while others, once they’ve received enough light, learn to shine from within. In the coming year, I hope we become people who carry that light—especially when the world feels dark.

I made this tree also for my blog readers - Happy New Year for your silent support. Thank you :)

Jeff