Artist-in-Residence Blog: Jonathan Pomroy Captures Changes of Spring

I’ve been spending a lot of time at Yorkshire Arboretum as artist in residence, catching up on the many changes as spring progresses. A subject I have been really keen to paint is shadows of branches on tree trunks. From the start of my residency I began to notice the strength of tone in these shadows on larger oaks in particular. Tonally they are as strong as the branches themselves often continuing over the ground around the tree. They make a fascinating subject sometimes forming some really interesting shapes. It has become something of an obsession, the painting process feeling almost abstract at times although very much the result of life observation.

The shadows of bare branches are a particular feature of winter and early spring so I have been making these studies in anticipation of emerging foliage. It really teaches you to draw what you see rather than what you think you know. Painting a dark shadow of a branch on a trunk can at first seem daunting, but with careful observation of the subject you start to realise that this is what we see all the time. Next time you pass a large tree try looking at the shadows rather than the bark and you may see what I mean.

It has been a delight to be in the grounds as spring advances. A visit on March 22nd came after an intense early frost (-5.7C). By mid morning the sun felt really warm in a light breeze- one of those early spring days when for the first time in a long time you realise that you are overdressed. The goat willows were in full bloom and heaving with insects, especially queen buff-tailed bumble bees. Amongst them up to four small tortoiseshells nectaring on the flowers. I stood mesmerised by the sight, sound and smell. suddenly after a long cold winter the warmth hit me. The sight of the yellow flowers and orange tortoiseshells against a cerulean blue sky was a true tonic.

A single chiffchaff freshly arrived belted out its name from a nearby ash, those two rather plaintive notes repeated over and over again pure joy to my ears. I had good views and managed a few sketches of this restless bird. The lake has a pair of little grebes. I spent some time sketching these incredibly fluffy grebes with their gorgeous burnt sienna cheeks. Patient observation enabled me to find the nest site which will soon be hidden by emerging leaves.

I continue to be very inspired by time spent at the arboretum and work is piling up now. Painting trees and trying to find their ‘character’ without painting every branch and twig is a great challenge. I look at the essential proportions of the tree and search for the areas of greatest tonal contrast. Some trees really do feel like friends after time spent intensely observing them, all so different to one another. The sheer brilliance of spring foliage is really kicking in now and my challenge will be to record this. Also to search for areas where birds are nesting. I have been pleased to find reed buntings and chiffchaffs holding territories in the grounds and time will tell what else there is to discover as spring turns to summer. I am really looking forward to walking and sketching in the grounds at dawn in May to experience an arboretum dawn chorus- watch this space.

Artist-in-Residence Blog: Jonathan Pomroy relishes Time at the arboretum

Since becoming Artist-in-Residence at the Yorkshire Arboretum in November 2020, Jonathan Pomroy has been relishing the long and quiet winter months in the grounds. Read his latest blog entry below:

“I have been relishing having the arboretum to myself over the winter months, a real privilege. I am really getting to know hidden areas and have watched the change from autumn through to winter. I have concentrated on different parts of the eco system and particularly enjoyed sketching fungi, especially the many fly agarics which were common around areas of birch. My life long passion for birds has seen me look at the relationship birds have with trees. This autumn the hornbeam crop was very sparse so hawfinches have not been as abundant as they have been in previous winters. However I was fortunate to see a small flock in October and had some incredible views of this scarce and enigmatic finch. Crossbills, another member of the finch family, have been seen around the grounds on larches and firs alike and siskins and redpolls often feed in alders or birch. I have watched winter visiting redwings and fieldfares arrive and feed around the grounds. As winter arrived and leaves dropped smaller species of resident birds became easier to see. I have often found myself accompanied by treecreepers or goldcrests as I sit and sketch. A little owl that favoured some of the large chestnuts has been a delight to draw- we have spent long periods staring at each other! A female kingfisher has frequented the arboretum lake often feeding from the board walk area.

I have relished sketching the trees in autumn and winter. In winter I particularly love the play of shadows of branches on tree trunks, a subject that will feature in my end of year exhibition. Some trees are already like friends. The medieval holly by the perimeter wall is inspiring to draw and just to ponder upon. I watched its beautiful scarlet berries being eaten by redwings and wondered how birds may have fed on its fruit over hundreds of years, and also how widely those birds will have dispersed its seeds? Some of the old sweet chestnuts are like huge wooden figures- magnificent. My knowledge of trees has grown immensely and my respect for them is now immeasurable. Over the years I have tended to draw more open landscapes, but sketching the woodland environment has become a new passion. Trees are so complicated in structure and finding a way to portray them without including every detail has been a great challenge. Sitting and sketching them I really learn to appreciate the structure of individual trees and like any portrait I try to do their character justice.”

Jonathan Pomroy Joins Yorkshire Arboretum as Artist-in-Residence

The Yorkshire Arboretum has announced that artist and birding enthusiast Jonathan Pomroy will begin a year-long tenure as Artist-in-Residence.

Based in Gilling East, Jonathan has been a regular visitor to the arboretum since moving to the area in 2010 with the highlight being the first to see the rare, large flock of Hawfinches that settled there over the winter in 2017/18. Working predominantly in watercolour, but also experimenting with oils, charcoal and pencil, Jonathan’s exhibition will emphasise the benefits to us all of observing nature throughout the year.

In his own words, “I have already been putting the hours in as artist-in-residence. How could I miss the splendour of autumn? I have relished painting the landscapes and getting to know the hidden corners and individual trees. I am keen to heighten awareness of the relationship birds have with trees – the last few weeks have seen many sketching visits, sometimes for Hawfinches, but also Redwings, Fieldfares, Goldcrests and that pine specialist, the Crossbill.”

As part of his residency, Jonathan will engage with visitors through social media and blogging regularly from the arboretum, as well as running small outdoor workshops – dates will be confirmed in the New Year.

An exhibition of the body of work Jonathan produces during his year-long residency will run from Friday 17th September to Monday 18th October 2021, featuring original paintings, prints and other merchandise.

Stay up to date with Jonathan by following him on social media: Twitter @JonathanMPomroy Instagram @PomroyJonathan

Meg Huby Debuts Artist Residency Exhibition

Locally-based artist Meg Huby will introduce an all-new exhibition of work based on her year as Artist-in-Residence at the Yorkshire Arboretum, from 18th September to 19th October. Meg began her residency in the autumn of 2019, and brought together "A long-term fascination with the ecology of trees and a relatively new interest in making art.” Meg, who began her career as a biologist before becoming a lecturer in social policy at the University of York, discovered a passion for drawing and painting six years ago.  

The exhibition, ‘The Yearly Trick of Looking New’, will including pieces of Meg’s work produced during her residency. It celebrates transience and change in nature while recognising the interdependency between all forms of life and the crucial role of the arboretum in tree protection. The title is drawn from Philip Larkin’s poem, ‘The Trees’. 

In her own words, Meg’s artistic style tries to “find a way between [photorealism and pure abstraction]. The tension between them is like the tension between the solid physicality and apparent permanence of life in the arboretum and its transient, constantly changing nature. Absorbing the arboretum from all angles – observing, sketching, photographing and reading – informs and influences my paintings and prints.” Her approach involves a great deal of experimentation with materials and techniques. “The oil paintings are built upon layers of underpainting and glazing and use different types of support. A favourite tool is an electric hand-sander!”

The exhibition will feature original artwork – with oil and watercolour paintings, collagraphs and eco-prints – as well as a small selection of printed greetings cards. It is free to view in the arboretum visitor centre. Protective face coverings should be worn while viewing the exhibition.

Find Meg on Instagram @MegsterArt

Meg Huby becomes new Artist-in-Residence at the arboretum

About Meg Huby

We are delighted to announce that Meg Huby will begin her year-long tenure as Artist-in-Residence in October 2019.

Meg, who began her career as a biologist, forged a lifelong bond with the natural world and an interest in human impacts, both good and bad. Her working life in science and public policy has been a source of inspiration for her artwork in a range of media from paint to print.

In her own words, “the natural world is endlessly changing and cycles of dereliction and regeneration in the man-made world reflect decay and growth in nature. The Yorkshire Arboretum itself constantly changes in a cycle of breakdown and regrowth.” Meg hopes to produce work that raises awareness about the transience of living things and the vital contribution made by trees to both human and environmental well-being.

She adds, “This residency is incredibly exciting, and the opportunity to explore the arboretum environment through all the seasons will provide fantastic inspiration. It’s an absolute privilege and I am looking forward to creating a whole new range of work.”

Meg is a passionate advocate of art as something that anyone can take part in and enjoy. During her residency, she is keen to encourage visitors to join in with the process of drawing and painting, and experience how this “can offer new and different ways of understanding the natural environment.” She will host a small programme of events at the arboretum throughout her time there, with the first – an informal day session for people of all abilities and experience called ‘Trees Undressed’ – taking place on Wednesday 6th November.

An exhibition of the body of the work Meg produces during her year-long residency will run from 18th September to 19th October 2020, featuring original paintings, prints and other merchandise.

You can view and book onto Meg’s events on our events page.

Follow Meg on Instagram by clicking here