Seeds of Inspiration: Bare Branches, Structure, and the Challenge of Simplicity | Part 2
If Part 1 was about the spontaneous joy of finding inspiration on a Cornish coastal walk, this next chapter is about intentionality. Moving forward, I intend to spend as much of the season as possible in the studio, moving from delicate seed heads to the bold, bare structure of winter.
The Allure of Autumn: A New Palette and the Bounty of Bare Branches
The shift in season has brought a complete change in focus. The allure of a cobalt blue, cadmium yellow and rich cherry red palette has piqued my interest, and with it, the paring back of simplified forms in the shape of stylised branches.
The branches, loosely based on Hawthorn, are currently spilling over my garden fence. The berry-laden fronds heavily dripping down the wooden slats. From what I've been reading, the bounty of berries is a phenomenon of this year's weather patterns. It's almost impossible to ignore them all, and this may be why I've taken a shine to them.
Sketching the New Collection: Finding Joy in Tentative Explorations
I'm so enjoying this early, tentative stage of my autumn/winter collection. The possibilities are still boundless, and with a wealth of branches to choose from in the garden, I love that the direction is open for exploration and could take me down all sorts of different paths.
Swirls of intertwined branches have already been sketched into wreath-like compositions, spurred on by the placement of standalone branch motifs. These motifs came from a couple of companion pieces I've made to sit alongside two still-life paintings, yet to be named, with a bowl, plate, and plum as their focus.
Yesterday, before today's rains started pouring down, the garden was awash with sunshine. With a seasonal coffee, sketchbook in hand and my new favourite Blackwing pencil, I set to work drawing branches and autumn blooms. Later on, the studio door opened to the fresh air, I arranged wreath shapes on pre-primed boards and began loosely painting their forms. I'm being playful, keeping an open mind to what feels joyful as I paint and what feels forced or awkward.
Stripping Away the Excess: The Bold Beauty of Bare Forms
My desire this season is to lean into the flow and move forward with a lightness of heart. The catalyst is a collection that is a joy to make. To have the result feel like a reward, a special treat for working freely. With a lightness of touch, to match my mood, and simplicity off motif, I aim to strip away excess.
Just as the trees shed their leaves and the branches become bare, I want my paintings to have this same sense of exposed, bold beauty. Perhaps a little vulnerable in their emptiness, but strong and playful with it.
The Illusion of Easy Work: A Call for Conscious Deep Thinking
Although here will lie the challenge. Simplicity is the illusion created once complex decisions are made and great action taken. I'm kidding myself if this will be an easy project to paint. It might be one of the hardest yet, because, for simplicity to work and be meaningful, it must first be fuelled by a rigorous, conscious desire to decide what is cumbersome and unnecessary, leaving only the essential elements in place.
Lots of deep thinking lies ahead for the hibernation season.
I can't wait, and if I'm totally frank, I'm completely curious about how it will all work out! Now that my intentions are written in black and white, they all of a sudden seem quite weighty and full of purpose. I hope I can deliver.
What are your creative intentions for the hibernation season? Let me know the ambitious project you're embarking on this winter! Share your thoughts in the comments below, and remeber to subscribe to BRIGHT News for updates on this winter's bare branch tale.
Bring the Story Home
Inspired by folk art's naive perspective, and the stark simplicity of winter branches this fresh still life explores simple forms and expressive brushwork. Acquire a piece from the Bottle & Branch Collection where everyday objects meet natures captivating beauty.
