LANDSCAPES
WELCOMING STRAWBERRY GROVE... Acrylic paint on canvas (400mm by 300mm) Inspired by own photo from Strawberry Grove, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Nature has this deep and magical way of always making our appreciation and presence feel so welcome. Through both our bad times and the good; certain areas in the landscape can have so many sentimental values for people. This morning walk to my local woods made my return feel so warmly and softly welcomed. It has been a place of mine since childhood; been there through some of my biggest struggles and encouraging moments in life.
SOOTHING STRAWBERRY GROVE... Fine line pen and Inks on A3 watercolour paper. Inspired by own photo from Strawberry Grove, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Tranquillity and inner connections with nature do not always have to be places found in the most remote places or across the other side of the world. The beauty and power of nature can still be found close to estates and towns. This small isolated woodland that has watched the neighbouring estates and industrial areas expand as far back as I can remember; yet still has so much calmness, beauty and connections to nature to offer. No matter what I have been through in life; it has always been there for me when I needed it the most, and I have no doubt for many others too.
A PEACEFUL CHANTRYS PATH... Fine Line pen and Inks, Original on A4 watercolour paper Location; The Chantry Woods, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Following the paths of the Chantry Woods always such a tranquil feeling, areas where intriguing trees with such soft guarding and secure character can make strolls feel so safe; at peace with both myself and the surrounding landscape.
CHANTRY WOOD CHARM... Fine Line pens and Inks, Original on A3 watercolour paper. Location; The Chantry Woods, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Such a tranquil and warm feeling this woodland has in the spring as the Bluebells create a blanket of vibrant colour on the ground. When exploring areas in the woods; I can see elements of nature in different cycles all working in harmony with one another.
WOODLAND WARMTH... Fine line pen on A4 watercolour paper. Inspired by own photo from Newlands Corner, Albury, Guildford, Surrey, UK. No matter what the weather I have always found trees have a soft way of creating a sense of energy and warmth; not just by physical touch, but through characteristics, colour and the emotional presence felt when being amongst them.
NEWLANDS CORNER WOODLANDS... Fine Line pen and watercolour pencils, Original on A4 watercolour paper Inspired by own photo from Newlands Corner, Albury, Guildford, Surrey, UK. A woodland that has so many stories to tell as the old trees with such character make the woods feel quite mythical. As I strolled under the tree canopy; it almost feels like I’m walking through a soul warming place of natural Surrey history. Through experiences like this; it becomes so clear to understand how nature can absorb, comfort and relax our own emotions too.
A WARMING INVITATION... Fine Line pen and Inks, Original on A4 watercolour paper Location; The Chantry Woods, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Under the welcoming tree canopy on a summers day as occasionally the sunlight would find gaps to beam through; creating such warm and inviting paths of light.
WELCOME TO THE CHANTRYS... Acrylic paint on canvas board (400mm by 300mm) Inspired by own photo from the Chantry Woods, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Despite being so close to a town; this woodland has a magical way of making you feel you’re in another world. Trees stand with such a peaceful welcoming character upon the rolling hills within the woods itself.
ILLUMINATED AT DAWN... Oil Pastels, Original on A4 pastel paper Location; Ash Ranges, Surrey, UK. A dawn when patches of cloud were warmly illuminated, bringing with it such a wonderful feeling to be out at sunrise. This tree was starting to softly light up at the same time and seemed to sit in the foreground with such a settled presence. Worked from my photo that was quite a special view for me - the first dawn I saw when going out walking on my own after my operation back in 2015.
MOODY NIGHT... Oil Pastels on A4 pastel paper Inspired by my own photo from Wales trip It had been a night of heavy rain with the occasional brief breaks in the clouds. One occasion as I watched the moon light beam through, almost like trying to reach for the landscape itself, creating this atmospheric look down the valley.
INVITING SUNSET... Fine Line pens and fine line colour pens; photo of trees prior to working over with inks in my ‘Soothing Strawberry Grove’ work; high-quality print on A3 watercolour paper of original and worked back over with Fine line colour pens. Inspired by own photo from Strawberry Grove, Guildford, Surrey, UK. A brief time in a day the sun would be able to penetrate the woodlands; wonderfully warm inviting lines created by the tree shadows. An invitation to enjoy such tranquil moments in the nature.
A WALK AROUND... Oil Pastels, Original on A4 pastel paper Location; The Chantry Woods, Guildford, Surrey, UK. Always feels so warmly inviting following the winding paths of summer woodlands, surrounded by natures positive physical and emotional energy.
AUTUMN VIBRANCY... Inks, Original on A5 watercolour paper The pure vibrant colours and energy that ink can create; a freeing application process as I created my own little autumn landscape.
LUSH WOODLAND GREENS... Inks on A4 watercolour paper Inspired by my own photo taken at Chantry woods, Guildford, Surrey. The warming vibrant colours on this spring day as the sun penetrated the woodland. Nature has such a captivating way demonstrating its visual beauty through light and colour, and just like the ink application techniques used; it can be subtlety unpredictable.
PIERCING SUNLIGHT... Inks on A4 watercolour paper Inspired by own photo from Chantry Woods, Guildford, Surrey, UK. A moment when the sun pierced through the tree canopy creating what appeared to be a golden path amongst the shadows, did not last for long yet was so lovely to see. An image and painting that speaks many words, deep thoughts and meanings to me every time I look at it
ROLLING HILLS... Oil Pastels on A4 pastel paper. Inspired by own photo. A view through a valley that just had so much natural energy coming across in different directions. Using an abstract approach was my way of trying to show its visual and emotional power.
WARMTH OF AUTUMN... Fine Line pen and watercolour pencils, Original on A4 watercolour paper Autumn being a wonderful time of year when nature can put on such a display of energy and colour. Even if days have started becoming shorter, temperatures cooler and cloudier days; the appearance and feelings that leaves perform can appear so