Into the Wildwood
Hidden behind one of Britain’s most popular medieval castles lies Skipton Castle Woods: a rare and ancient woodland habitat with a fascinating history that dates back a thousand years.
In need of some inspiration for our planned exhibition, ‘Into the Wildwood’, I took a leisurely stroll through those Woods. I followed the valley of the Eller Beck and took lots of photos of the amazing willow structures commissioned by The Woodland Trust and created by Anna Cross. Further on into The Woods I came across several gnarled trees; one in particular that already seemed to contain a human figure.
Once home, I picked up Roger Deakin’s book, ‘Wildwood: a journey through trees’. Writing about the Suffolk painter, Mary Newcomb, he explains how, in her paintings, “people and plants surreally hybridize”, causing previously hidden or unseen elements to materialise.”
Inspired by Newcomb’s wonderful paintings, I picked up my digital paintbrushes and allowed each of my three chosen subjects the freedom to become whoever or whatever they wished.
If you would like to purchase my artwork, please contact me
The Stag
“that walked from the shadows under the trees into a clear space. Antlers sprang from its brow, each with five or six tines. From the antlers, from each tine, green leaves were growing, as if from the branches of a tree.”
(From ‘December’, by Mary Oliver)
30cm x 38cm print only – £125
42cm x 51cm framed – £225
Medieval Huntress
“It is always the same:
she is standing …
… in the forest clearing,
a dab of blood on her cheek
from a rabbit or a deer.”
(From ‘Dream of the Huntress’, by Robin Robinson)
30cm x 38cm print only – £125
42cm x 51cm framed – £225
Wood Spirit
who pleads …
“Cover me with your everlasting arms,–
Ye guardian giants of this solitude!–
From the ill-sight of men, and from the rude
Tumultuous din of yon wild world’s alarms!”
(From ‘The Woods’, by Frances Ann Kemble)
30cm x 38cm print only – £125
42cm x 51cm framed – £225
If you’re unable to find a specific piece of art here or would like to view my whole gallery, visit either my Instagram or Facebook page, identify the title of the image you like and then contact me with the title for more information. In addition to the pieces listed above, all my art is available in three forms: a print only, a mounted print, a mounted and framed print.