ARE WE ITS? May 2025

A celebration of a single tree, and a reflection on our place in nature.

This Horse Chestnut oversees us in our home, towering over our garden and garden room. When the leaves come in spring we hardly see the sky through the wall of green.

Painted en plein air, fully immersed. The tension comes from the vital red ground, which challenges the dominant green with it’s vibrant energy, and acting like a green screen within the windows' reflections.

The tree isn't in our garden, so it isn't actually ours. But recently it's occurred to me that the real question isn't whether the tree belongs to us or the neighbours — but whether the tree belongs to us, or we belong to the tree.

Acrylic on Stone Paper, 29 × 42 cm