Dwellers in a Wood

'To dwellers in a wood almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature. At the passing of the breeze the fir-trees sob and moan no less distinctly than they rock; the holly whistles as it battles with itself; the ash hisses amid its quiverings; the beech rustles while its flat boughs rise and fall. And winter, which modifies the note of such trees as shed their leaves, does not destroy its individuality.'
Under the Greenwood Tree, Thomas Hardy

Oh how I love that passage of writing. I first heard it it the form of an audio book. I was travelling to meet a friend, a journey of over an hour and a half and in that time I didn't get to listen to more than twenty minutes of the story.  So compelling was that opening paragraph that I just had to listen to it again and again and again.

A winter walk amongst the trees is and always has been one of my true loves. Trees are full of life, characters in their own right. And if you look carefully...

They dance 

and hug 

and wink

Trees hold such and alluring spell over me. So, I suppose, it is no surprise that I have always wished to paint on wood. I love the feel of it, the smell of it, as well as its presence. I now have plans to take a small step sideways with my craft.. ...a step closer to creating an object of beguiling magic that can be appreciated by young and old reminding them of that mythic realm that lies beyond our everyday lives. A huge undertaking I know, but,  I plan to take just one small step closer..... 

The sweet aroma of wood fills the air around me and little pieces of sandpaper litter the floor near my feet.