Bare branches against the winter sky

Lines drawn

each tree has its own language

Whip of willow 

filagree of birch

stitch of hawthorn

candelabra of ash

They draw their identity in the sky

I am oak, beech, blackthorn

A definite line withstanding the harsh weather

A structure, a skeleton

seeking, expanding

so leaves can reach light

Each branch dividing and dividing again 

large into smallest bud tip

A leader shoot primed to aim for the sky

A rigid structure but also a living flesh, with sap moving both ways

A vascular system transporting water, minerals, sugar

In winter resting, enduring

In protective lock down 

they hold still

stand naked, bare their bones

paused until the light returns

February 2026 Tyrone Guthrie centre

How do I describe a week in residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre? Well, it has to start with the house, which is warm and comfortable with lovely old rooms, the friendly welcoming staff and the other artists, musicians and writers. Dinner on the first night was a bit daunting with a full table of strangers to meet but there was a willingness to share and support each other as everyone settled into their own creative work. Then there was the studio space. I was in studio 5 which is a huge room. Such a luxury to have so much space and all day to work undisturbed on an idea.

I was focusing on bare branches of trees in winter. The way they draw lines in the sky. Over the days I built up a library of photos while walking the grounds and local roads. So many beautiful old trees in all their winter glory.  Working with the photographs I picked out characteristics of the trees, selected details to focus on, built up a collection of images which I will translate onto ceramic tiles. The results will look  abstracted but still hold the essence of the original tree.

 I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to go to the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. I came away from it inspired and encouraged and with lots of progress made on developing a new idea.