Still Standing

This tree was the first inspiration I had as I walked through Corbar Wood. First impressions are always the most lasting therefore I felt compelled to capture this beautiful tree’s determination to remain standing and strong despite the extensive exposure of its root system. The tree seemed to balance itself by leaning into the land behind it. A path heading upwards, using the tree’s roots as steps, suggested that others had used that route as a short cut. Whilst I was painting, two young girls came by and clambered up the roots to reach the path at the top. I spent a couple of hours painting this scene on site and completed the finer details in the studio. This painting is one of two artworks painted for the 2019 Buxton Spa Prize.