Spaces Between
During 2021 I have been working on a new series of small paintings. Each is a little over A4 in size and are all oil on board.
They were inspired by many walks locally during lockdown, along lanes and into town. Looking up at the branches I felt there was an opportunity to use them as a starting point for abstracts. Oak Tree Abstract and Scots Pine paintings were two, though the rest more representative! The next two, Catkins on Blue Branches, and Branches on Sunset Sky were helped by a bit of computer manipulation of colour.
I continued with the Branches series, completing White Cherry Blossom, Red Japonica, Mid-March at the Umborne Brook and recently White Poplar.
White Cherry Blossom
Oil on board
The lushness and profusion of cherry blossoms seems to confirm the arrival of spring. This year the weather was kind and the blossoms lasted for a longer time than usual. I loved capturing all the subtle tints of the flower petals in shade and in sun against a deep blue sky.
Oil on paper adhered to board
23 x 33cm
Sub-frame
£420
White Poplar Leaves
Oil on board
The stand of white poplar saplings were very striking against a backdrop of dark foliage. They are on one of my walks round Frome near the river.
Oil to board
33 x 22cm
Sub-frame
£420
Trees at Stourhead
The Island at Stourhead
Oil pastel on board
The views and colours on the Stourhead estate are constantly changing, depending on the season, weather and time of day. The island on the lake has a few trees seen here in the soft hues of Spring on a clear sunlit day. This was inspired by a recent walk although I have been visiting the gardens for over 20 years on a regular basis as I live nearby.
2019
Painting is 15.5 x 15.5cm
sold in a pale frame behind glass
£290
Autumn Pink
Oil on board
The painting ‘Autumn Pink’ depicts one of the many gorgeous trees at Stourhead, our local National Trust Estate. I have walked there many times over the last 30 years and always find inspiration for my work. This tree is near the Gothic Cottage which my children always considered to be the Witch’s Cottage.
2014
White tray frame
34 x 44 x 5cm
£450
Acacia
Oil on board
A stunning pink and red acacia tree showing its rich autumn colours at the National Trust Stourhead Estate, Wiltshire. The tree is next to a picturesque Gothic Cottage, which the children think of as the Witches Cottage.
I loved painting this using a wide range of reds, pinks and yellows to capture the vibrancy of the leaves in contrast with the surrounding dark greens.
2014
Dark wood tray frame
44 x 54 cm
£450
The Woodland Garden Next Door
Oil pastel on paper
We are fortunate to have a neighbour who planted her garden from scratch over 20 years ago. It has now grown into a small wooded haven with tall birches and an upright beech. The colours in the autumn are a delight and the trees are always busy with birds and insects. I love the contrast of the white bark against the russets and cool blues with the trailing branches of this variety of weeping birch.
2019
46 x 34cm
Framed behind glass
£290
2016
38 x 46cm
Under glass with dark wood frame
£325
Under Willows
Many of my paintings are inspired by hidden and forgotten places. At Biddulph Grange, I found an overlooked area of lake covered in a patchwork of colourful leaves floating on the surface under willow trees.
I worked the base of the painting in acrylic adding detail with oil pastel.
Oil pastels on board
Trees at Witham Friary, Somerset
Forgotten Corner
Oil on canvas
Part of a much-loved walk round the medieval fishponds in Witham Friary. They were dug out by Carthusian monks in Witham Priory from the 12th Century.
This area of the lakes were always muddy and did have kingcups growing every year, brightening up a dank corner. The painting is from the winter showing even a dismal corner can have a bit of magical colour.
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2015
50 x 65 x 5cm
Dark wood tray frame
£810
Monks' Path
Acrylic on paper
A walk round mediaeval fishponds constructed by Carthusian monks based at Witham Friary, Somerset. It must have been back-breaking work to dig out the ponds, construct channels to divert the water supply, and then manage the fish stocks. The saturated colours are a nod to the blood & toil of the past.
I love dappled shade under trees which provide welcome shade for visitors and fishermen.
2016
54 x 69 cm
Dark wood frame under glass
£550
Fishponds
Oil on canvas
Part of a favourite walk, many years ago when the children were little, round the medieval fishponds at Witham Friary, and catching the trees back lit early in the morning in winter. I loved the soft light contrasting with the dark silhouette of the trees.
Painted on a black canvas adding drama and good contrast.
2013
40 x 30 cm
Dark wood tray frame
£405
Longleat Copse
Oil with oil pastel
A stand of trees in winter seen from a bench below Heaven’s Gate. The view is looking across Longleat Estate with the leat behind and with trees in the far distance.
2013
25 x 31 cm
Dark wood tray frame
£320
Shadows in the Wood
Oil on canvas
Bluebells are always a joy to paint with the range of blues, pinks and purples in the dappled shade of a spring wood.
Postlebury Wood, near Frome, is registered as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. An ancient wood first documented in the 13th Century after which it was incorporated into the Royal Forest of Selwood. Rare self-pollinating primroses grow here, along with a range of woodland flowers and plants. I have had many enjoyable walks along the woodland paths over the time I have lived in Somerset.
2015
Rich dark blue wood frame
94 x 73 cm
£1400
Beneath the Bulbs
Oil on canvas
As a young girl I went for a walk in an ancient wood with my mother who reminisced how a friend had been so overcome by the heady sensual smell of bluebells, she’d taken off her clothes to roll about in the flowers!
On a more thoughtful note, Postlebury Wood put me in mind of what lies beneath bluebells – the rich earth busy with new life and the rotting decay of plants & insects - in contrast to the gorgeous colour and scent of bluebells.
2015
63 x 63 x 5cm
Dark wood tray frame
£1080