The Sounds of Summer

Although we are heading into Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, I’m conscious that Summer always brings new ways of seeing and experiencing the world around us. Nature is frenetic; nests are built, chicks reared, plants bloom in dazzling colours.

Over the Summer, I was particularly conscious of the sounds of nature. Here in Britain the birdsong was incredible, with swifts calling in their high-pitched staccato song above cities, towns and villages, the sound of skylarks high above fields and the swooping of swallows as they skim the surface of lakes and ponds. And that’s just a few of the birds. I also loved the wingbeats of dragonflies and the humming of bee hives.

I have been tuning in to the natural music and rhythm of nature for a new series of paintings. I’m very much a lover of bold colours, however, I have been inspired to seek a broader palette for this series. All else remains the same, including using my usual techniques and tools to scrape, smudge and encourage paint across the surface.

I am keen to work on larger scale paintings, both on stretched canvas and specialist paper, so this series has seen me working in sizes of 60, 80 and 100cm. I have enjoyed applying myself to this new challenge and would love to hear what you think of this new approach. Please let me know in the comments section below.

A new work inspired by my memories of sounds associated with nature