Orchards in East Kent

Part of my explorations of East Kent led me to the orchards around Canterbury, the A29 and the Isle of Grain. Apples, pears and plums.

From my studies of orchards my favourite trees are the plum trees. In winter their stark black shapes twist against an opaque grey sky. In spring their branches are cropped leaving an orange haze of rotting blossom on the orchard floor. In summer their small frames are loaded with the burden of ripening fruit. But their dancing shapes remain constant throughout.

I made rapid drawings for fear of being evicted by the farmer, but as my nerve grew I rolled out large pieces of paper and painted on the orchard floor using pastels and brushes on poles. I got more creative with my brushes using mop heads and making my own drawing tools. The trunks became simplified into carborundum prints and etchings back in the print studio.

I grew fond of the trees in the plum orchard sensing them as individual characters, some were sturdy and serious, others more playful and expressive. A family of trees.