Tree Days
Ancient Oaks at Staverton Park, Butley. Etching & Aquatint
Old Oak, Staverton Thicks. Monotype.
Old Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Oak and Silver Birch, Staverton Thicks. Monotype
Staverton Thicks, Charcoal
Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Three Ancient Oaks, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Fallen Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Hollow Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Knobbly Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Holding Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
Large Oak, Staverton Thicks. Charcoal
John's Wood, Beehives. Etching and Aquatint
John's Wood. Sweet Chestnut Canopy. Oak Gall Ink.
Raining on tree day, the Patch, Hollesley. Gell Pen
Raining on tree day, the Patch, Hollesley. Etching and Aquatint
Alder Tree reflections, the Patch, Hollesley. Etching and Aquatint
Trees and Tree Days
Over the years I have drawn trees, lots of them. My favourite woodland area to visit is without doubt the magical Staverton Thicks, an ancient woodland near Butley in Suffolk. In June 2020, in the midst of Covid, drawing outdoors became very special and out of this came The Tree Day. Four artist friends spending many Tree Days out in the landscape drawing, meeting at a different woodland areas armed with art materials, fold up chair, picnic lunch, thermos of tea and water to spend a day drawing, wandering, writing and of course chatting.
Three Suffolk woodland areas became our favoured places to visit: John’s Wood in Melton, the Patch in Hollesley and Staverton Thicks in Butley.
Each wood has a distinct personality; Staverton Thicks is a chaotic riot of ancient oaks at every stage of life, holly trees offering support to fallen and dying oak trees, and graffitied rowans hung with clusters of bright red berries.
The Patch is a watery haven with silvered alders around still pools of water, cool wild mint underfoot and bursts of yellow irises.
John’s Wood is a community, an eclectic mix of oak and ash, spindle and medlar, holly and sweet chestnut, and nestled into the wood a collection of beehives.
Three Suffolk woodland areas became our favoured places to visit: John’s Wood in Melton, the Patch in Hollesley and Staverton Thicks in Butley.
Each wood has a distinct personality; Staverton Thicks is a chaotic riot of ancient oaks at every stage of life, holly trees offering support to fallen and dying oak trees, and graffitied rowans hung with clusters of bright red berries.
The Patch is a watery haven with silvered alders around still pools of water, cool wild mint underfoot and bursts of yellow irises.
John’s Wood is a community, an eclectic mix of oak and ash, spindle and medlar, holly and sweet chestnut, and nestled into the wood a collection of beehives.
