For the past 6 years I have happily taken part in The anonymous heART project . The idea is for artists to create a 7" x 5" piece of art. These then get auctioned off to raise money for the British Heart foundation. The auction is from 30th Oct - 8th Nov if you wish to bid . More information can be found here Anonymous heART Project
It's a great idea and I'm pleased to say that over the years I've raised several hundred pounds for the cause .
This year I've donated 2 pieces . I know it's supposed to be anonymous but here's a sneaky peek .....
One is of the beautiful wild flowers on the South Downs in the Summer . I love those walks . Days full of warm breezes and butterflies . Days of just stopping to watch a Kestrel hover silently or Swallows swooping down over the dew ponds . Perfect days . Halcyon days .
The other painting goes back to the Spring and a morning walk through the woods near to where I live. Bright morning sunlight that made the fresh green leaves glow and the heady scent of Bluebells filled the air. A popular place for lovers to declare their feelings by carving their initials and forever hearts upon the tree .
Because the paintings are small I just put one heart on the tree trunk which I felt worked well.
Whilst painting I realised that the picture was taking me back to a memory from childhood days.
Back in the early 1960's when I was about 4-5 years old I remember visits to my Aunt and Uncle's house . My auntie made the most amazing buttercream filled cakes so as a small child it was always a pleasure to visit !
They had two pictures hanging on their wall and for some reason I was always mesmerised by them . They appeared to tell a story and it maybe where my artistic journey started and perhaps my love of painting trees !
The one of the young lady is "Absence makes the heart grow stronger" by Marcus Stone (1840 - 1921 ) . As a very young child I loved it 
Looking at it now I can see the 2 hearts carved on the tree trunk .
Next to it hung another painting . I remember it as being the same size and depicted a red coat soldier standing by a similar tree . He was reading a letter (love letter ?) that he held in his hand . The paintings seemed to be a pair but sadly I can't track down anything about the soldier painting .
After finishing the small bluebell painting and revisiting my memories ,I felt really drawn to painting a larger version so that I could include more detail and walk the path of lovers past .
I hope you like it
"Bluebells and Hearts "
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| "Bluebells and Hearts" acrylic painting |
