Tree Hunter: Portrait of an American Artist

TYPE: Documentary
GENRE: Documentary
STATUS: Post-Production

LOGLINE

A driven self taught artist and trail tree expert, Dennis Downes, ties us to nature and our indigenous past.

SYNOPSIS

Tree Hunter: Portrait of An American Artist, is about the life's work of the award-winning regional artist, and foremost expert on Native American Trail Marker Trees, Dennis Downes (1951-2024).

“I am simply fascinated with what came before us and the beautiful and hostile surroundings in which people lived and survived.”

For centuries, trail trees have been witnesses to American history. These natural landmarks were distinctly grown and bent by indigenous peoples to provide safe passage for travelers through the dense forests of North America. Only a few trees have miraculously survived.

Artist Dennis Downes has spent over forty years, driving to forty states and provinces in Canada to protect the last Native American trail trees, and to educate the public about their importance. His artistic vision and public installations, such as a monumental 16-ft trail tree sculpture, have engaged communities across the United States to reconnect with nature and their local history. 

We weave the legacy of Native American trail trees with the story of a determined self-taught artist who pursued his passions in spite of difficult challenges. We show Dennis investigating trees from Michigan to North Carolina to New York. We meet an assortment of people including land owners, hunters, nature lovers, arborists, tribal elders, historians, park officials and others who have taken an interest in the preserving the trees and stories behind them.

Downes was a man who seemed to have stepped out of the 19th Century. He sported a long white handlebar mustache, and usually dressed in a white shirt, black leather vest and cowboy boots. Born in 1951, Dennis grew up on the "poor side” of Northbrook, a suburb outside of Chicago. The forest was his playground and he was drawn to the Trail Trees that were well documented in his area since the 1800's. As a young man, Downes decided to follow the path of earlier naturalists. 

 Dennis' family home studio is a rambling 100-year-old house, in constant need of repair, on the Chain O’Lakes in Antioch, Illinois. In the fire pit in his backyard, Downes cooked his own paints and made his own paper from native plants. His prolific body of artwork was often inspired by his research and travels. His original paintings have uniquely carved wooden frames exquisitely decorated with natural materials. Compelled to understand how people once survived, he was an expert archer making his own finely decorated arrows and spears. 

From street fairs to gallery shows in the Midwest and Colorado, Downes's work always sold. While working multiple jobs, he slowly built-up his reputation and a loyal following. He received multiple awards and his work has been displayed in Europe and throughout the United States. In 2022, he had his 20th annual solo art and trail tree exhibit at the Grove Center in Illinois. The show was packed and almost every piece was sold. It would be his last show. 

Despite harsh bi-weekly chemotherapy treatment for almost 7 years, Dennis never stopped creating and our film shows him working on numerous art projects and investigating new trees with incredible stamina before his condition worsened. He passed in February of 2024.

Dennis spent his last days in his art studio home with his wife, Gail Spreen. They had a constant stream of friends and family visitors. From his bed, they planned the installation of his latest sculpture which in August will be placed in a field along Lake Michigan in collaboration with the Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians. During his life celebration in June 2024, it was announced that a street would be named in Dennis’ honor in the Streeterville neighborhood of Chicago near his Bronze statue of the infamous George Wellington ‘Cap’ Streeter.

Tree Hunter: Portrait of an American Artist  is an inspired story of a much-loved regional artist whose life's work has touched many lives and continues to reach across the United States.

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

We combine a rich archive of newly filmed material and interviews, with stunning images and video that Dennis  and Gail, his wife, have recorded over the years. This film explores the mystery of the trails trees and tells the story of a passionate complex artist who has overcome many challenges for the sake of authenticity.

This documentary is intended for wide release through film festivals, broadcast television, theatrical, museum and community screenings. We are currently editing the film and raising funds to complete post productions which is very costly. Your donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible through the sponsorship of the Gotham Film and Media Institute.

If you prefer to send a check, please contact Lesley Topping for the Gotham donation form that needs to filled out. Thank you for your support and interest.

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