The Secret Life of Trees at the Yorkshire Arboretum (twinned with Kew) next to Castle Howard

The final exhibition for my year long residence at The Yorkshire Arboretum near Castle Howard took place this month. The sight of the collection beautifully hung and framed was a far cry from all the sweaty lonely days with my wheelbarrow panting up hills and down lanes laden with boards, paints and water. Most of the paintings were produced outside in boiling sun (my favourite plein air weather) because the layers dry quickly and I can get exciting painterly surfaces and effects. Many of them also spent evenings hidden under trees and bushes so I could return to them the following day for the next layer of work. Some of the paintings will be shown at the Cambridge Contemporary Gallery in May 2020.