Jane Witheridge

On hearing the First Cuckoo of Spring

An original, one-off silk painting. Framed in oak.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

An original, one-off silk painting . Framed in oak

Heart Overboard 2

Original, one-off silk painting. Framed in oak

THE PANDEMIC EFFECT

Without deadlines, exhibitions or galleries I found it difficult to go into the studio and work. Even though I work alone a lot, I certainly don't work in a vacuum, and rely on customers to keep me going.

Self-employed people always seem to be pretty vulnerable to unforeseen events (Covid, financial crises, Brexit etc .) and after the financial crisis of 2008/9, I exchanged a house in town for a tiny place on its own land. A piece of mixed woodland and flower meadows, which I endeavour to run as a nature reserve.

In this setting 'lockdown' was lovely.

While working on the land, plenty of time was spent just standing and enjoying; the wild cherry blossom against a sk y free of airplane trails; the whispering of aspen leaves, audible in the quiet, without the perpetual grind of engine noise. There was a wonderful breathing space where all of nature seemed to sigh for a moment.

Being so immersed in nature opened my imag ination, and I hope this comes over in the new paintings. The falling cherry blossom, the cuckoo's call, the hum of insects and the magic, complicated relationships going on all around us.