Foraging for natural beauty in Winter
I must confess, I have never gotten over that childhood urge to fill my pockets with natural treasures when I’m out walking. It might be a vibrant autumn leaf, an acorn still sitting proudly in its cup, a pebble glistening in the brook or a fallen feather. I am drawn to colour, shape and contrast and when I spot a pretty, I simply must have it. I think I am trying to capture my love of being out in nature and have something to remind me of it when I am stuck inside. I also take numerous photos of the little natural wonders that fascinate me, and I turn to these pics and pieces when I am creating.
Lichen and ivy photographed at Chaddesden Woods
Little Ivy designs - Woodland inspired picture frame
Little Ivy Designs - Painted washstand
In winter it can all feel quite bleak and depressing outside, but my little Ivy dog doesn’t care what the weatherman says even when the weatherman says it’s raining, to her every day is joyful and her enthusiasm is infectious. The added challenge of searching for inspiration when walking is a helpful nudge to get me out the door and to venture further afield.
Little Ivy dog giving me the “Let’s go walkies!” eyes
At this time of year, a lot of what I find is soggy so the dog poo bags double up as specimen bags and I dry out my findings at home in the airing cupboard (the natural objects, not Ivy’s poo, although we all know there is going to come a day when I throw my pretties in the park bin and bring home…..let’s leave it there shall we. You know where this is going).
The more I study how things grow and form in their natural environment the more I want to recreate this in my artwork. It has given me confidence to try new things including using foraged items as part of my final pieces. After all, if you want something to look natural, it makes sense to use natural resources.
Grooved bonnet mushroom cluster photographed at Kedleston Hall Derbyshire
Little Ivy Designs – Forest floor fungi light
I used a lot of foraged materials for my Christmas work. The frost covered pinecones and evergreens on the Christmas stocking hooks looked great against crackled paint work. Using my photos, I was able to think carefully where to place the little frosted berries and ivy leaves. These turned out to be a hot seller at the chilly Bakewell Christmas market.
Frosted ivy photographed in my back garden
Yew tree with berries photographed at Elvaston Castle Derbyshire
Little Ivy Designs – Christmas stocking hooks
The places I visit are special to me not just for the flora but for the fauna too. I therefore follow these two simple rules:
- Only take what has fallen or is already dead.
- What is taken must be repaid in another way beneficial to the environment. This might be bird food in the cold months, nesting material in spring or water when it's hot.
I hope that by following these rules I am balancing my actions and supporting the environments I visit. Woodlands are always my favourite as there is just so much going on from the trees canopy to beneath the ground, life buzzes on every level.
Winter sunset photographed at Chaddesden woods
When everything is dark, the little light and colours you do see are more vibrant than ever!
