The Arborealists and Guests: The Art of the Tree

Woodland Study VI, pen on paper by Claire Leach

The Arborealists are an artist group founded by artist and curator Tim Craven in 2013. Tim’s intention was to bring together artists who used trees and woodland/forest landscapes as the particular focus of their practice and create opportunities to exhibit work together. An exhibition of several artists work is sometimes a more interesting prospect than a solo artists exhibition due to the variety in approach and mediums displayed. I’ve been following the work of The Arborealists since around 2014 when I finished my MA. I was introduced to the work of Blaze Cyan, a member of the group through Louise Pallister (a Twitter friend) and met Blaze when I went to London to see Louise and Blaze’s work at their final MA exhibition at City and Guilds.

Installation View of The Art of the Tree

Installation View of the Art of the Tree

In September last year I emailed Tim Craven and expressed interest in the group, Tim was gracious and said that although all the member slots were filled he would keep me in mind for any opportunities where I might be able to exhibit as a guest. In April I received an email from Tim asking if I’d like to exhibit as a guest with the group at The Turbine House which is part of Reading Museum. I agreed wholeheartedly and set to work making a new drawing to exhibit. It wasn’t easy but I managed to fit drawing in around looking after my baby son, who was just over two months when I first started work on my piece ‘Woodland Study VI’.

Above: Alders Reflected in the Dart, graphite on board by Paul Newman | Below: Shadowline 2, pencil on paper by Celia de Serra

June rolled around, I’d finished my drawing and organised framing. I took my piece to the Turbine House where I met Tim and some of the participating artists. The venue itself was full of character, situated on the banks of the River Kennet with river views from each of the square framed windows. I returned to The Turbine House the following evening for the private view, Tim’s curation of the show was wonderful. Large colourful paintings were given plenty of room while smaller more monochromatic works were placed together. It was a joy to see work in person by Paul Newman whom I’ve followed online for some time as well as Buckmaster/French whose work I’d seen at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. A personal favourite was the pencil drawing by Celia de Serra, she captured beautiful light and shadow of a forest trail that mentally transported me to a secluded woodland spot.

Fonthill Beech, etching on paper by Blaze Cyan

Detail of Tangled Bank - Winter Light, acrylic on canvas by David Wiseman

A familiar face at the exhibition was Peter Driver, an artist who I met while studying at Winchester School of Art. Peter had his piece ‘Eleven Of The Seventy-Seven Drawings Made At Two Mile Intervals Walking Between Winchester and Salisbury’ on display.

It was a real thrill to see my piece alongside work by accomplished artists and in such a characterful gallery space too. My thanks go to Tim Craven, The Arborealists and guests and the Reading Tree Wardens who invited The Arborealists to exhibit in Reading and invigilated the exhibition.

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100/100

This week I finished the 100 days project. It was a challenge to say the least! I managed to go quite a number of days before lapsing and then found that I relaxed and took the project less seriously as time went on. Some days were so easy and other days I really struggled to the point of wanting to quit but I'm so glad I persevered. 

​The project made me feel less restricted in my subject, usually I only draw from photographs of places with significance. I found that I could paint some washy shapes with ink and claim them as mountains, islands or clouds and feel confident doing so. 

The project also gave me the opportunity to practice more mark making with pen and introduce a little colour to my work. I'll continue to draw on a postcard format as I enjoy the small scale and the convenience of working quickly and freely. 

100 Day Project

Some time ago while spending too much time on Instagram's 'explore' page I stumbled across the 100 Day Project founded by Elle Luna. I'd been going through a bit of a difficult time with my love in hospital with excruciating pains which turned out to be kidney stones and a readmittance with a possible infection and norovirus. While at home feeling helpless I made four really quick postcards. They took a matter of minutes each and after I felt so much better, art has been my meditation and comfort for a long time. With this in mind I decided to go for it and join in with the project by making a postcard each day. 

Day one

Day two

I'm amazed to have reached day twelve, already I've experienced a range of emotions with the project. I've felt stress at still drawing at 11.30pm, I've torn up a postcard and started over, I've stared at the blank paper feeling totally uninspired and I've wished I'd done one differently. I've also felt relief when one turned out better than expected, pride at seeing the collection growing and happy to have something creative to look forward to in the day. 

Day three

Day four

100 days is a long time and I don't know if I'll make it until the end but so far I'm enjoying it and I hope it'll teach me to stress less with my work and enjoy the process of making something each day. 

Day five  

Day six

Do you find art and creativity helps when you're feeling low? Does it act as a meditation for you also? 

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