Newsletter 41 - July 2022

In This Newsletter

• Dartmoor Trees
• Wilder Artists & Poets
• Save the Wye
• Concrete Castles
• Looking Ahead

Dartmoor Trees

Exhibition by The Arborealists at Artmill Gallery, Plymouth inspired by our site visits to see some of the remarkable trees on Dartmoor. I was enchanted by White Wood which descends precariously down one side of the Dart gorge to a fabulous swimming hole. 
9th July - 20th August

White Wood, Spring Light - oil on wood panel, 40 X 60cm

Wilder Artists & Poets

I care passionately about our wildlife and am in my 7th year as artist-in-residence with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. My current project, with the Apple Store Gallery and a group of local artists and poets, focuses on the Yazor Brook Restoration Project led by the Trust’s City Branch.  The brook crosses the city to flow past my studio and into the Wye, one small but important contributor to the health (or otherwise) of our river.

I'm making a series, Moments of Wonder, of small (20 X 20cm) paintings celebrating the joyous encounters with nature which mark my weekly walks along the brook.

Flag Iris Just Before a Storm - watercolour, 20 X 20m, on show next year

Save the Wye

Canwood Gallery in Herefordshire is staging a special exhibition and auction during August to raise funds for the charity River Action campaigning to save the Wye. Our beloved river has become polluted by agricultural run off, chemicals including phosphates and raw sewage to such an extent that the entire river ecosystem is under threat. I've joined the many people coming together to try and turn the situation.

Canwood Gallery is accepting submissions until 20th July.

The Last Supper? - watercolour, 30 X 30cm plus frame

Concrete Castles

The touring show Concrete Castles moves to Coleshill (National Trust, Swindon area) at the end of this month. An unusual and engaging exhibition with artists, including members of The Arborealists, responding to built remains from World War II. My own interest was sparked by the sinister anti-tank blocks along the front at  RSPB Minsmere incongruously providing shelter for Dartford warblers.

Private View: Saturday 30th July, 10 - 4
Exhibition: 1st August - 11th September
Comprehensive colour catalogue with essays available (£20 from the exhibition)

Minsmeer, Dartford Warbler Singing - oil on wood panel, 30 X 40cm

Looking Ahead

I'm continuing to work on Ben's organic farm when time permits including a happy day amid the bluebells in May (sketch below). A few of these paintings will be on show during h.Art Herefordshire Open Studios 3rd to 11th September. This year I will be in the historic church of St Michael & All Angels, Knill in an exhibition curated by Tim Craven. The iconic pink brochures come out next week.

Regeneration, a touring show by The Arborealists, opens at Fyne Court (National Trust visitor centre and nature reserve, Broomfield, Somerset) on Saturday 24th September. We are putting on a mini-conference on 'Trees and Art' on Sunday 25th September with eight short talks by art historians, ecologists, writers, gallery directors and artists (including me). 

And plugs for The Painted Orchard at the Museum of Cider in Hereford from 15th July and The Perfect Hill at Ludlow Assembly Rooms from 16th July.

Best wishes, 
Richard

Bluebells - part of a watercolour sketch, Ben's Farm, May 2022