Hugh Dunford Wood
I would like to join the Arborealists in order to share my enthusiasm for painting woods and trees. I have been exploring the woods in my corner of West Dorset where I have lived for over 20 years now, and I have discovered particularly old trees, holloways and ancient hill forts with wooded ramparts that are exclusive to this neck of the woods. Let me take you there.
These are off the beaten track, and uncelebrated places, often unrecorded and unprotected. It would be good to share my experience with others, and to paint in company. Most of my work is done en plein air, in a day, in a race against hunger and fatigue and the dying of the light. I am a gestural painter, stimulated by the presence of trees who respond with a comforting reliability and permanence. They are healing to work among and give themselves intimately to each of my senses. I am more moved to be in the company of a single tree that I am to be faced with a great view.
We also have over 100 acres of ancient woodland on my wife’s family farm near Lindfield in Sussex, where it would be interesting to organise some days’ retreat, or camp, to paint the Cromwellian Oak and other individual trees as well as the various landscapes and topography underlying this Woodland Farm.
Instagram @hughdunfordwood