Never have I been truly satisfied in seeing them until I started to paint them. It’s inspiring living amongst them in all kinds of light. They glow orange when the weather is dull, they go bright red and orange when the evening sun hits them and they light up so brilliantly against the beautiful blue of a summers sky. The dappled light on their trunks and their all year round canopy take me to warmer climes as well as their sweet smell in the summer warmth. Memories of happier times and places. Full of character their gnarled branches and contrasting ever changing colours are an artists dream. They allow me to paint in a more conventional way where the brush strokes take centre stage and the artists hand is purely evident. It’s a therapeutic break in contrast to Involuntaryism’s materials and techniques.