Trees

Constantine Woods

Constantine Woods, Cornwall

Oil on canvas

While on an Art Residency in Cornwall I took some walks in the local woods. Bosahan Woods is run by Constantine Enterprises Company for the benefit of the local community. It was hard to choose which view to paint as it was so delightful with many beautiful views.

Framed in dark wood

2024

16" x 20"

POA

Autumn Path

Autumn Path, Gare Hill

Acrylic on canvas

A walk through the small forest near Frome. I loved the light late in the autumnal day, as well as the contrast of warm and cool colours.

 

2024

40 x 40 cm

Currently at First View Gallery, Stourhead NT,

POA

Alders by the Coly

Alders by the Coly, Devon

Oil on canvas

A group of alders by the river Coly caught at the end of the day in the last rays of sun. A rare walk after supper with my father a few years ago to watch the setting sun over nearby fields.

 

2020

34.5 x 29.5cm

Currently at First View Gallery, Stourhead NT.

POA

Bosahan Woods in Orange

Bosahan Woods in May

Oil on canvas

While in Cornwall I enjoyed walking round the local woods. The granite in the area stunts the trees with undergrowth of moss and ferns. Here the wood was more open with some bluebells  dotted about.

I loved the view along the path and decided to paint only in orange tones with little bits of turquoise.

 

2023

30 x 30cm

£360

Rocks & Stream

Rocks & Stream - Bosahan Woods

Gouache on linen

While on an Art Residency in Cornwall I walked a few times in the local woods. Bosahan Woods is cared for by Constantine Enterprises Company for the benefit of the local community. It was hard to choose which view to paint as it was so delightful with many beautiful views.

I loved the stream tumbling down past mossy rocks and ferns.

2023

37 x 42cm

Framed behind glass

 

£300

Trees at Stourhead

Sunlight on Azaleas, Stourhead

Mixed media on paper

The views and colours on the Stourhead estate are constantly changing, depending on the season, weather and time of day.

One morning in June the sun lit up a group of azalea and rhododendron blossoms through a small tree. I have been visiting the gardens for over 20 years on a regular basis as I live nearby. i always find an inspiring view for a photo or a painting.

2023

Painting 20 x 20cm

Currently at First View Gallery, Stourhead NT.

POA

 

 

acacia

Acacia

Oil on board

A stunning pink and red acacia tree showing rich autumn colours at Stourhead.

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

Autumn Pink

Oil on board

The painting ‘Autumn Pink’ depicts one of the many gorgeous trees at Stourhead, our local National Trust property. I have walked there many times over the last 30 years and always find inspiration for my work. This tree is also 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

Snow on the Lake moo

Snow on the Lake

Acrylic on board

Stourhead is open all year round and is wonderful to see in any season, and in snow it becomes a beautiful winter wonderland.

I was drawn to the graphic shapes the snow made on top of the lake ice, along with the deep drifts of snow.

2014

Dark wood tray frame

64 x 57cm

 

£650

Winter Walk

Winter Walk

Oil on board

Inspiration for this painting was from a walk round the lake at Stourhead where I loved seeing the beautiful views changed by winter snow.

I wanted to use a red base for this painting, resulting in a more dramatic response to the lake covered in ice and snow.

2014

24” x 24”

Dark wood tray Frame

 

£650

Spaces Between

During 2021 I worked on a 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.

White Poplar Leaves
White Poplar Leaves
Red Japonica
Red Japonica
Mid-March at Umborne Brook
Mid-March at Umborne Brook

The above seven paintings are oil on board, just bigger than A4. Each £325

Oil Pastels

'The Woodland Garden Next Door', Keyford, Frome

The Woodland Garden Next Door

Oil pastel on paper

under-willows-e1515880332877

Under Willows

Oil pastel on board

Our neighbour 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

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 used acrylic then added detail with oil pastel.

2016

38 x 46cm

Under glass with dark wood frame

£325

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.

.

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

Currently at the Pint-Sized exhibition, The Raven, Bath

£150

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