Woodlands and why I want to paint them.

I have been periodically painting woodlands for the past few years but this is the year where I will concentrate on the them completely.

Why Woodlands?

As a teenager I was quite a loner and I enjoyed going on long rides on my bike or taking our family dog on walks. One of the places I would go to was a little ancient woodland called Clouts Wood in Wroughton, Wiltshire. I always found it mysterious, spiritual and peaceful. I would sit under a tree and listen to the sounds of the woods. It was like I could hear all the lives within breath.

As an adult I have loved walking through many woodlands. I'm fortunate enough to be living in the county of the most renowned ancient Sherwood forest, Nottinghamshire. Me and my family have explored, played and rested amongst these wonderful trees but I have discovered younger woodlands. In Derbyshire in particular I have found new woodlands now growing in places where Victorian factories once stood. If you ever come across an abundance of Silver Birch trees, the chances are its a new woodland. When I say new, I mean in the past fifty, sixty years old. They have a fascinating long and rich history in this country. They were one of the first to grow in this country after the ice age. They grow quickly, in groups and are able to live side by side whilst allowing slower growing trees time to grow. Their thin canopy of leaves allow for dappled light to penetrate to the woodland floor providing much needed light not just to the saplings but to other plants too. For slower growing trees the silver birch provide shelter from the wind and provide food. A bit like a nursery.

Ancient woodlands are so important to the biodiversity of many life forms in this country but sadly there aren't enough of them. But with the regrowth of new woodlands there is hope.

'New beginnings' & 'Enchantment'

Over this year and possibly more I will be creating paintings based on the young and the ancient and have decided to give the collections the following names based on British folklore. Silver Birch trees were known in folklore to represent 'New Beginnings'. And ancient woodlands in folklore were believed to be home to magical creature such as fairies so this collection will be called 'Enchantment' .

I look forward to continuing on this journey creating these wonderful landscapes and will keep everyone up to date here on my blog.