Capturing the Seasons: The Story behind “bushbury leaves”
Hi Friends,
This morning, as I was reminded that we need to clear the leaves from the driveway, I noticed one of my favourite trees on Bushbury Hill had almost completely lost its leaves, and I thought it would be a good time to write another blog. Thinking how the Autumn season is so picturesque, I love how the leaves on trees change into beautiful oranges, reds, yellows and browns. I’m so thankful I remembered this year to take a photo of my favourite tree which I look on to daily. It was in the midst of Autumn and it’s leaves had started changing colour. One day soon I will be sharing my painting of this and capturing a brief moment in time. So, with all of this in mind, and with this year swiftly drawing to a close as we prepare for Christmas, I thought it would be a good time to share this blog about the inspiration, concept and design of one of my recent pieces, “BUSHBURY LEAVES”.
“BUSHBURY LEAVES” is an acrylic abstract painting which I completed in early May 2024, inspired from visits to my local park where I collected leaves and other found organic objects. It was during a time where I was deciding on my next art project while I was being tutored. My task was to find organic objects and for that to be the inspiration behind my next piece. Being May, it was a bright Spring day, but still quite cold with a blustery wind, when my husband I went for a lovely walk to Northwood Park in Bushbury. The leaves on bushes and trees were a lovely fresh green, with buds forming, and the pretty cherry blossom in bloom. It was really a delight for the senses to see God’s beautiful creation close up, and to feel revived as we took in this lovely nature walk. I took a few photos as well as collecting a few leaves and pieces of small fallen twigs, before returning home.
After a several experiments with sketches and quick colourways, the concept of depicting two halves of a leaf in opposite directions with a slight overlap was decided upon as an abstract composition. I wanted to embrace all the colours of the changing seasons in nature throughout the leaf segments ranging from bright fresh greens, to olive, darker greens, oranges, reds, purples, browns and yellows, whilst following the natural lines of the leaf’s midrib, primary and tertiary veins. This way I was still able to keep the venation pattern as I incorporated my abstract design to the painting with my chosen premixed palette of acrylic paints.
During the painting process, precision was a key factor as well as deciding what colours would compliment neighbouring colours from all directions on the leaf’s colour segments. Achieving the balance between abstraction and representation was important, and I am happy that this was achieved as I completed the finishing touches to my painting.
I am so happy with my finished work, “BUSHBURY LEAVES”, and love how it has a lively feel to it, suggestive of movement and joy whilst capturing the seasons. I hope this piece will encourage viewers to explore and find inspiration through the beauty of nature themselves.