In the presence of trees


It has been a wet, autumnal day. I set off this morning with my dogs through a local woodland. It was dark and dripping raindrops which splattered on the leaf mold and moss filled floor. I could see beauty in tiny pools of water collected in large leaves which reflected the tree canopy and the charcoal sky: the woodland creaked and spoke to me of the year so far. The ancient trees, bark toughened, branches gnarled, split and hanging low over the path. The people I met were enjoying their rainy walks too, we were all out there enjoying the elements, exploring our day.

Later this afternoon, I left my husband decorating and headed down the garden to my Studio. I knew I would paint one of the old trees I’d seen and love in all weathers. I’m not sure if it’s finished yet. Tomorrow I will see my watercolour in the morning light! The watercolour sketch on the right I did a while ago. Another oak tree I see regularly and enjoy its presence.

Advertisement

White pillows


White pillows

Float into hollows, nooks

And burrows.

Aspen and willow,

Stark, dark: sinister

Whispering sharp wind

Billows.

Lichen hillocks.

Holly and blackthorns

Creak under laden leaves

Dripping icy nature’s tea.

Flirty flurries settle on warm cheeks

And tiny beaks.

Woodland Wildlife seeks solace

From fizzing blizzards.

Winter walks


January’s lamp black trees

Dripping tears.

Weeping tangled larches

Tickling lichen bark;

Crows huddled in puddles,

Riddles in ink blotted dark skies.

Welly prints in sticky mud;

Children dropping crumbs

From winter tarts.





Happy New Year! Stride out on winter walks, feeling crisp air brushing your cheeks. Stop and listen to the birds. Watch the wintery dark tree branches dancing in bracing wind. Welcome January! 

Rambling in the Fairy wood


In the Fairy Wood a cool wind sings

Songs of summer past: Larks and cherry blossoms

Rambling roses for fairy posies.

Speckled yellow, ruby and rust leaves swirl,

Crunching under toes.

Dappled light, warm and bright Iilluminates

 faces of forest mythological creatures,

A shadow show emerging; tree nymphs, Boris the troll

And frolocking fairies.

Brooding skies like galloping waves, 

Tallow mallow ggiant’s fists!

Twisters suck up golden mists.

Roaring Tourmaline wintery skies


roaring tourmaline winter skies

Limbs of whimsical trees

Stretch and seemingly sneeze,

Retching in the icy breeze.

Through arches of Larch,

Over finials and pinnacles

Starlet particles dart

With elementals,

Soaring into a roaring

Tourmaline wintery

Infinity.

darting elementals