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
£325
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 - 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
Lakeside Trees at Stourhead
Oil on linen board
We live near Stourhead NT gardens, so visit quite often during the year. One of my favourite views is looking at the lake between the trees. This area is quite a marshy area, and I decided to do some more colourful trees than usual.
2023
43.5 x 33.5cm
Dark wood tray frame
£550
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
£300
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
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
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.
The above seven paintings are oil on board, just bigger than A4. Each £325
Oil Pastels
The Woodland Garden Next Door
Oil pastel on paper
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.
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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