In the summer of 2024, I sketched and painted in the garden at Prospect.   This week, to support Karma Wall's expedition to the Great Wall of China, I decided to do a painting. It will be used to raise money for Prospect. Her trek, and the training for it sounds amazing but very hard work! 100% of the cost of this painting will go to Prospect.  
 
 This garden is a space for reflection, a therapeutic garden. To match this I left some restful empty areas in the picture, against the patterned leaf and bark areas.  I wanted to keep the painting quite loose and expressive with a  vague network of wandering branches.   Trees are alive, and in painting them I like to create the impression of energy and movement they have in the wind, when their limbs seem to dance.
 
Gradually I added more blue in the background, and more texture and detail in the foreground to create depth.   
 
All the different pastel colours in the bark of the tree give variation and brightness.  Silver birches lighten woodland areas which might otherwise be dark. In sunshine they reflect and have tints of subtle colour.  The bark peels like paper to reveal the rugged gnarled layers revealed underneath. 
 
If you'd like this painting then your purchase would support the work of Prospect Hospice, and their outstanding work in end of life care.  Alternatively you can donate to them here: Prospect Hospice