Part of a collection of postcards I have created for prisoners of conscience, sometimes artists themselves.

 Catching the Light

Wild pine trees catching the late autumn light. Pine trees are among my favourite trees, and they remind me of both summer and wintertime. The scent of pine recalls distant memories of summer evenings in Spain, where my maternal family were from. The scent is inseparable from the sensation of walking over dried pine needles and the warm air. But the scent of pine also reminds me of the cold dark winter, and in that darkness is the evergreen Christmas tree, its branches dotted with beautiful lights.

 

No matter where you live, there are small opportunities in nature for you to reflect, to find a new way of looking at things, or even just to rest. That's one change you can make in your day; though small it is powerful.

I often remember the words of Walt Whitman, "Every square inch of space is a miracle." 

 

Can you sense a change? 

The breeze takes on a new freshness, something goes quiet, the blues start to lean more towards violet.

 

Branching

This is what so many things in nature do - branch out, each vein creating a new route for itself.

 

Just a drop...

A drop in the stream, causing a small ripple...so small and momentary, hardly visible, but if you take a look there is so much this small effect of nature can offer you. Like a storm, the centre of the ripple can often show a moment of relative clarity. Look for it and take in the wonderful picture you see in there. I am sure that in that very place, you will forget whatever troubles your mind.

 

Reflections...

My work is currently absorbed with reflections, though not necessarily a perfectly mirrored image. I'm fascinated by the constantly changing shapes and colours caused by the moving water, which only faithfully reflect the scene in a moment, then it's gone. Sometimes we look into the water when relaxing by the waterside, and get lost in our thoughts. Reflection can also mean contemplation. Our thoughts, like those shapes and colours, are a response to our own inner world; not really fixed, and only reflections of reality (such as it is).

Discovery

Soft pastel on board with gesso, 30 cm x 21 cm

There's often a discovery waiting for you if you go and spend time alone surrounded by nature. It might be something you see, or a solution to a problem, an answer to a question.

This painting is for sale in the Paintings on Board and Canvas gallery.

ONLINE EXHIBITION

I'm honoured to be part of the online exhibition, 'The Healing Power of Color' on the Healing Power of Art and Artists website gallery, Manhattan Arts. My painting 'Life Force' is featured. This wonderful exhibition will run from 4th April - 4th June 2022.

To see the exhibition:

https://www.healing-power-of-art.org/the-healing-power-of-color-exhibition-2022/

 

A moment by the riverside, a drop of water falls in. Stop and listen.

Scots Pine ... Opposite colours melt together in the pine forest.