Through an intense process of connecting, looking and drawing, my dialogue with trees asks not just what they look like, but also what looking at trees can tell us about ourselves.
As an artist I am inspired by the forms and stories of old trees, by the way humans, animals and natural processes have shaped them. My art encourages us to look at trees in new ways and to think about our ancient, layered relationships with them as living organisms.
I work from my studio near Edinburgh and in woodland locations around Scotland and my native Peak District. I sell direct from the studio, from galleries and exhibitions, and through my shop.
“Tansy’s trees have a healing property; she has translated these special places which makes them magical for me. Her work has lifted a certain ‘film’ from my eyes – I look at trees with different eyes now”
Maria Van Dalen, collector
Time Made Wood
‘Time made wood’ is a phrase that came to me early on in my tree drawing career and has been my guiding concept as my art has developed over the last 15 years. I found an ancient oak in a Derbyshire deer park which epitomises this idea. It has been sculpted by time, humans, animals, climate and tells us its story through its gnarled form.
Announcing new workshops
I’m now offering workshops in my large temporary studio space in Edinburgh, provided by Outer Spaces Scotland. Also coming up in this year are workshops in charcoal, printmaking and tree drawing at exciting venues in Scotland and beyond.