Sue Klebold's artwork

Where did you find these?
You could do a lot of psychological analysis on them. It definitely shows her distressed state of mind. Trees are usually symbols of peace and rebirth, but the fact the tree are standing in a bleak and desolate landscape with no leaves on them and has evil faces trying to ward off the little birds seems to me to show a state of loneliness and hopelessness - the birds are trying to reach the unreachable even though the tree obviously can't be helped and doesn't want to be.
Maybe it's how she feels about Dylan. That he was in such a hopeless state in a spot where no one could reach him.

Wow.... Where did you find these? I love them!

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], Great analysis. I completely agree with it.

I found them on a blog of an art course that focuses on teaching people to draw botanicals.

She took the course, passed and earned a certificate.

It's good she is painting again. She said in the book several times she couldn't bring herself to do any art. I'm sure it's therapeutic for her.
To quote Sue herself "Artistic expression, even when it's unpleasant, can be a healthy way of coping with feelings."

She is really talented! I like these drawings a lot!

Thanks for sharing. I've never seen any of her artwork before.

Hmmm! These artwork pieces say much about how Mrs. Klebold feels inside - and much about how talented she is, of course. Everything I am writing here is strictly subjective, so I might not be completely right. But there is such a deep symbolism in these drawings that i cannot help but write about my impressions.

The thorny plant - with the flowers - and many of the leaves - turning to the left side - might refer to introspection, self-defense (thorns!) and looking back to the past.

The drawing with the tree says even more! Sadness, fantasy and productivity. (Many of you might know that tree drawing is widely used in therapy and diagnostic.)

This tree is special - if we see the background, there are other trees with leaves on. This seems to be the only tree that has no leaves.
The birds are also special, they seem to have a special symbolic meaning. My impression is that all the other birds on the picture are on their way to move - or, they are just passing by -, but these two blue magpies try the impossible - to make a nest on a seemingly dead tree that would surely eat them up.

(I have read that drawing a face to the tree might be a sign of narcissism, but I am not sure if this is right.)

I get the impression that Mrs. Klebold feels really lonely with her loss and being robbed of... many things. Just like everyone seems to move on, while she is isolated.

Caves on a tree drawing usually mean some kind of loss, emptiness, trauma - and here, we see two caves, one at the bottom of the tree and one - creatively drawn as a mouth to the tree's face!
The bottom and the left usually symbolizes the "subconscious", one's inner self and the past, while the top and the right tells rather about the "conscious" part, the outside world and the future.
Therefore I think it is extremely interesting that the tree turns to left twice in its growth! First, it is leaning slightly to the left, and turning to the right, its bark is torn, showing the light, sensitive, vulnerable inside. This speaks for itself.
And again, the crown of the tree is turning left. The face is angry, turning to the right. Maybe self-defense?

Therefore I find it very interesting that there are two dead trees on the right side. What can they symbolize? (I cannot avoid thinking of Mrs. Klebold having two sons, originally.)
One of them - with the notice "No trespass" and that skull - of a bull or bison? - seems to speak for itself. Skulls or skeletons on such a drawing are never considered as a good sign, but in this case, it is pretty obvious - thinking of these animals, I associate on wildness and aggression.

Is it just me who notices that the bottom cave, the dead tree with the notice and the skull are in one line - right and downwards?

The other dead tree seems to have cut-off branches, again, to the left. (Byron Klebold?...)

And here are thorns, too! (Or maybe barbed wire?)

There is one thing I am not really sure about. Under the tree, and around it, there seem to be small spots of water or mud. As water symbolizes life, birth, possibility to grow, this - again - speaks for itself. Not totally dried out, but there is no moving, no active life.


Once again: these are only my impressions and my understanding of the symbolism. I might be wrong, so I am interested in others' views on symbols!
And, I think there is nothing to be surprised at - Mrs. Klebold expresses everything in her artwork that one would likeably feel after such a horrible event.

This has already been posted under Columbine Photos. The source is from Tumblr through a person who works with Sue. I don't know which is the original.

Moonshadow wrote:

Hmmm! These artwork pieces say much about how Mrs. Klebold feels inside - and much about how talented she is, of course. Everything I am writing here is strictly subjective, so I might not be completely right. But there is such a deep symbolism in these drawings that i cannot help but write about my impressions.

The thorny plant - with the flowers - and many of the leaves - turning to the left side - might refer to introspection, self-defense (thorns!) and looking back to the past.

The drawing with the tree says even more! Sadness, fantasy and productivity. (Many of you might know that tree drawing is widely used in therapy and diagnostic.)

This tree is special - if we see the background, there are other trees with leaves on. This seems to be the only tree that has no leaves.
The birds are also special, they seem to have a special symbolic meaning. My impression is that all the other birds on the picture are on their way to move - or, they are just passing by -, but these two blue magpies try the impossible - to make a nest on a seemingly dead tree that would surely eat them up.

(I have read that drawing a face to the tree might be a sign of narcissism, but I am not sure if this is right.)

I get the impression that Mrs. Klebold feels really lonely with her loss and being robbed of... many things. Just like everyone seems to move on, while she is isolated.

Caves on a tree drawing usually mean some kind of loss, emptiness, trauma - and here, we see two caves, one at the bottom of the tree and one - creatively drawn as a mouth to the tree's face!
The bottom and the left usually symbolizes the "subconscious", one's inner self and the past, while the top and the right tells rather about the "conscious" part, the outside world and the future.
Therefore I think it is extremely interesting that the tree turns to left twice in its growth! First, it is leaning slightly to the left, and turning to the right, its bark is torn, showing the light, sensitive, vulnerable inside. This speaks for itself.
And again, the crown of the tree is turning left. The face is angry, turning to the right. Maybe self-defense?

Therefore I find it very interesting that there are two dead trees on the right side. What can they symbolize? (I cannot avoid thinking of Mrs. Klebold having two sons, originally.)
One of them - with the notice "No trespass" and that skull - of a bull or bison? - seems to speak for itself. Skulls or skeletons on such a drawing are never considered as a good sign, but in this case, it is pretty obvious - thinking of these animals, I associate on wildness and aggression.

Is it just me who notices that the bottom cave, the dead tree with the notice and the skull are in one line - right and downwards?

The other dead tree seems to have cut-off branches, again, to the left. (Byron Klebold?...)

And here are thorns, too! (Or maybe barbed wire?)

There is one thing I am not really sure about. Under the tree, and around it, there seem to be small spots of water or mud. As water symbolizes life, birth, possibility to grow, this - again - speaks for itself. Not totally dried out, but there is no moving, no active life.


Once again: these are only my impressions and my understanding of the symbolism. I might be wrong, so I am interested in others' views on symbols!
And, I think there is nothing to be surprised at - Mrs. Klebold expresses everything in her artwork that one would likeably feel after such a horrible event.

Interesting interpretation!