This particular time of year the transition from autumn into winter is profound period of change, both in the natural world and through our own cultural expressions.
- This seasonal shift is often marked by distinct elements that can be observed in the environment, and these changes have historically influenced human activities, festivals, and artistic expressions. As some of you know, I have over quite some years followed the seasons in the landscapes around where I have my studio. I take great store in being able to express in my own way how the shifts throughout the year feel to me.
Autumn (detail from The Swimming Platform) and Winter ( Sharpham Marsh in Winter)
Above; Spring colours details from selected drawings and Summer Evening, Totnes.
In the last week we have seen the beautiful Autumn colours, long shadows, the sound of leaves dancing along a path in the wind. There has been frost in the morning and today some snow.
The contrast to the warm colours of autumn to the raw chill of winter such changes in the landscape are quite noticeable. Artists of all kinds have found such visual transitions a rich source for inspiration, change , decay and rebirth. (Below left ;is a winter view across the Dart from Longmarsh and right is a sketch using found pigments of a cold skyline on the Dartington estate just above North Wood).
I think that to have the freedom to express how one feels about the landscape and the particular time of year, to be able to share this with others is a real honour. Woods that have frequently drawn and revisited suddenly are clear felled and the timber harvested. A tree on a skyline is blown down in a storm. I guess I have some extent documented this.
The light changes significantly, with days becoming shorter and the quality of sunlight becoming more diffuse. This creates unique atmospheric conditions that have inspired many artists and photographers to capture the subtle nuances of light and shadow. The quality of light is very important as inevitably that is going to result in colour changes too.
A winter view across the river dart on the Sharpham estate carriage drive.
Monet and the impressionists often used coloured shadows to represent the actual changing light.
I found my self using this form on shadows of a pastel drawing on board, quite unconsciously. It was rather fun using a pastel ground on a sanded panel, allowing the grain to take control sometimes. I had never used pastels on a surface other than paper.
There is always an emotional attachment for me in the landscapes that I draw, to some extent I underscore that by incorporating found site specific pigment or materials in many of my works. In the detail below you might just spot the slightly pink earth. Another first was in the framing of this little mixed media drawing of the North wood at Dartington Hall, I decided to use a professional no reflective glass.
Above left is a small framed drawing in mixed media using found pigments..earth and sticks
As the days grow shorter and colder, our activities shift towards the indoors, reading a book or going to the theatre perhaps. We were lucky enough to have had some seats for the Matthew Bourne Swan Lake, the last night of this run in our local theatre. Associated with winter are things such as; a time of gathering in both senses, of preserving and keeping the harvested and getting together with family and friends. Reflection of the year and events that may have taken place in a personal and global way. Preparation for the winter months, keeping well and warm safe, that home and family are well accounted for. Many cultures celebrate festivals during this period, such as Thanksgiving, Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas, each reflecting themes of light, harvest, and gratitude.
Literature, music, and performance arts often incorporate these themes, reflecting on the significance of the season in human life. Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" captures the spirit of winter and the importance of community and kindness, while Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" is synonymous with the Christmas season, encapsulating the magic and wonder of winter. The inevitable plethora of over played movies and “Christmas specials” rather denigrates the real meaning of this time of year.
(Below; feet in bath tub, liquid graphite on paper)
For many of us this time of year is charged with emotion too as the transition of autumn in to winter continues, there is time for introspection as well as joy, contemplation and anticipation of the holiday season. There is an element of these emotions that are expressed visually reflecting the year ending, loss and the hope of renewal.
The change from autumn to winter is a rich source of inspiration across various cultural and artistic expressions. Its impact can be seen in the changing landscapes, the atmospheric conditions, the season's cultural significance, and the emotional responses it elicits. The arts, in particular, offer a window into the myriad ways we have tried to understand and celebrated this seasonal transition, making it a continually fascinating subject of exploration.
Thank you for your time and do please get in contact and if you have any questions or need more information I shall be happy to help.
