Looking after the Little Things

I've really enjoyed painting my collection of British Butterfly Woodblocks. Not only do I continually grow my butterfly identification skills but I get to spend hours studying the most beautiful butterflies and the very intricate patterns on their bodies and wings. They never fail to amaze me!

This comma butterfly painting is a firm favourite of mine and is still available on my website: https://www.wildlifeartonwood.co.uk/product-page/comma-butterfly-painting-on-reclaimed-oak.

The comma butterfly is an incredible specimen. During autumn time it's able to almost totally conceal itself amongst dead leaves as it hibernates. Its beautiful autumnal colours together with the patterns on its' wings blend into the leaves on the woodland floor keeping it safe from predators.

Thankfully, and unlike some other species of butterfly, the comma butterfly is thriving. After a considerable decline in the 1900s it made an amazing comeback and today it is widespread in southern Britain and is spreading to more northern parts of the country.

Sadly however, this can't be said for all butterflies in the UK and the "State of the UK’s Butterflies 2022 report has revealed the alarming news that 80% of butterflies in the UK have declined since the 1970s." (The State of the UK's Butterflies 2022 Report | Butterfly Conservation (butterfly-conservation.org).

The main reason for the decline of butterflies is habitat loss. Butterflies require woodland clearings, heathland and flower-rich grasslands in order to thrive and much of this was lost with the advent of industrialisation.

Its great to see that there is so much work going across the country in attempt to restore such habitats and to help our beautiful butterflies to thrive again.

I took on an allotment last year and have planted a section of wildflowers amongst the fruit and veg plants in order do "do my little bit" so to speak. Its my hope too that in some way my butterfly artwork, in highlighting the beauty of British wildlife, will inspire people to celebrate and look after the creatures (big and small) which are right on our doorsteps. These wonderful specimens, works of art in themselves, certainly deserve to be protected and cared for. And, if we look after the little things, the big things will take care of themselves.

In the words of Oscar Wilde, "No better way is there to learn to love Nature than to understand Art. It dignifies every flower of the field. And, the boy who sees the thing of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas will probably not throw the customary stone".

The Art of Encouragement

Whilst it might seem that I simply paint animals on recycled wood, there is always more to my animal artwork than meets the eye. In one way or another every single one of my wildlife paintings reflects something of what is on my heart at a given time.

Whether it's the characteristic of the creature I'm painting, it's stance or even its name, there's often a deeper meaning to the animal I'm creating. More often than not I'm not aware of this myself until part way through the process or sometimes even later. I think that's because there is something in the creative process (even in painting wildlife) that enables us to reach into those deeper places within us. Amazingly, creating artwork of any kind often bypasses our logic and enables us to get to the heart of the matter. Art therapy is amazing for anyone who is struggling with complex emotions.

Take "Barnabas" the hare for instance. As soon as I picked up this beautiful piece of reclaimed brown oak I knew I was going to paint a hare looking bright-eyed and alert. I could picture his stance and his ears pricked listening for even the smallest sound.

After picking his name I discovered that the name "Barnabas" means "son of encouragement" and it wasn't until I chose the name that I realised my heart was in serious need of some encouragement too. But with so much criticism and judgement out there I needed to have my ears pricked up like Barnabas for the kind words that came my way, because so often I miss them.

There's a verse in the Bible which says the power of life and death is in the tongue. And its so true, our words can either tear a person down or build them up. And consequently, we can either build ourselves up, or tear ourselves down too.

During the most difficult seasons of life I cannot tell you how valuable the kind, affirming and encouraging words from good friends have been. And self-encouragement is really important too - I've been learning to start each day by encouraging myself that I'm doing really well and in the words the horse in Charlie Mackasey's book 'the Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse'... that "sometimes just getting up and carrying on is brave and magnificent".

This week is #worldmentalhealthweek and may Barnabas be a reminder to us all of how important encouragement is to our lives and for us to keep our ears pricked up and open to the kindness and encouragement that our hearts truely need need. #bekind

My "Friends of the Woods"

I'm lucky enough to live a stones throw from some beautiful woodland and the inspiration for my artwork so often comes from the time I spend roaming the woods.

My latest painting: "Friends of the Woods" is no exception. It's inspiration comes from my very favourite spot in the woods where I often go to meet my woodland friends.

The first friend I met in this spot was this lovely robin... who as you can see is quite the poser :-)

There's a certain tree where the birds tend to congregate and if you get to there at the right time you can see an amazing array of British birds such as nuthatches, bluetits, great tits, chaffinches, wrens and so many more, particularly if you arrive with a bag of seeds. Even the squirrels are rather tame when you arrive with nuts in hand.

More often than not the best encounters I've had with the wildlife here has been when I'm having a bad day. Its as though my friends come to see me and to lift my heart once again. I walk into the woods downcast but by the time I leave I have a spring in my step again. Connecting with the local wildlife always lifts my spirits and I'd encourage everyone to spend a little time in nature every day. There's so much we can learn from nature and wildlife and these wonderful creatures not only remind me to keep going but they help me to keep going. They encourage me that there is light at the end of the tunnel and lift my heart once again.

And so when I was blessed with this wonderful piece of oak I knew that I would paint a piece of art in honour of my "Friends of the Woods".