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In these turbulent times, with unnecessary conflicts and the rise of autocratic leaders I cannot respect, I felt the need to focus on what I do respect. I found that in the magnificent trees of the Forest of Dean, especially the ancient chestnuts at Bigsweir, nearly a thousand years old.

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I was drawn to walk among them, sit beneath them, feel their texture, breathe in the scent of wood, and watch the movement of their branches and leaves. Through sketching them, I found myself slowing down, thinking more carefully – following their organic forms and lines with my ink pen on paper. Time spent beside them, together with my friends Bruce and Novvy, reminds me that the world doesn’t have to be as it is. We can all try to be friends and our leaders will be much better. I believe we can learn a great deal about ourselves, and become kinder by spending time with trees and caring for them.

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I can’t stop seeing faces and limbs in the trunks and branches, suggesting humans or fantastical forest creatures. Sometimes I try to let go of these visions and simply see the trees as they are. In that, they are even more extraordinary. For example, the way they communicate and send nutrients to support one another through the underground mycelium networks is truly remarkable.

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Usually, I begin with a clear concept, but this time I wanted the idea to emerge from the experience itself. My past work explores painting and drawing through the lens of syntax and language, so I see these drawings as an extension of my gestural interpretation of text. I believe this marks the beginning of trees shaping my practice in diverse and profound new ways.