Category: Blog

Ghosts for Marchmont

  • Post date May 29, 2023

Where the ‘Ghosts’ came from

They began with a strange moment of recognition; an ailing beech found on a walk seeming to contain something figurative beyond the visible. Once I’d seen this I couldn’t unsee it – pareidolia was at work.

Philpstoun ghost beech by Tansy Lee MoirWhen I first started this series way back in 2012-13 I called them ‘Ghosts’ because they carried memories and echoes of things I couldn’t quite grasp on a conscious level, but sincerely wanted to connect with. For me, these works had a dark energy and a bittersweet mix of emotions behind them. The art was a way of expressing something I couldn’t do any other way and it’s quite difficult to write about even now. Their mystery was always appealing to both myself and the collectors who ultimately chose them.

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Categories Blog, Process, Residencies

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Trees of Marchmont 5

  • Post date May 20, 2023

The Sweeping Beech

drawing of a tree or figure by Tansy Lee Moir

My work is often linked to dance and there’s a common language in the way I draw trees and the human figure. Life drawing, in particular drawing movement has always been a part of my practice, which is why I’m excited to be collaborating with performance artist Suzi Cunningham and film poet Steve Smart on a short film bringing these threads together. Steve and I will be doing some filming while I’m on residency at Marchmont in June.

I found this dancing tree in the grounds of Marchmont House. There’s an 18th century elegance to it, with a graceful sweep of skirt above the hint of a bodice. If you look closely there’s also extensive scarring around the base, most likely from bark damage by grazing animals. In the time I spent with the tree that day I saw hares, roe deer and lots of sheep, so perhaps it’s a favourite spot for the nibblers.

As the sun tracked around the sky, I returned to the tree several times to get images in different lights. I don’t know yet which angles I’ll choose for the drawings – those decisions will come during my time in The Old Squash Court. The tree will tell me.

Read the full Marchmont story here.

Categories Blog, Locations, Materials, Trees

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Trees of Marchmont 4

  • Post date May 20, 2023

A wounded beech

a beech tree trunk in sunshine

I was on the hunt for ghosts. Not the most obvious of days for a ghost hunt – bright spring sunshine, birds singing their little hearts out and all the greenness getting ready to burst. However, I was excited by the possibilities the day’s light held for photography. I like to take reference photos in both clear sunshine and soft overcast light, as the combination helps me understand the tree’s form, along with drawing as the primary tool. Today was a day for sharp contrasts.

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Categories Blog, Inspiration, Locations, Trees

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Trees of Marchmont 2

  • Post date May 20, 2023

The Quarry veteran

When I was first commisioned to make charcoal drawings for the Marchmont collection, I was given a map which owner Hugo Burge had annotated with some of his favourite estate trees.

a gnarly beech tree

On one of my research trips to the Scottish Borders, Hugo’s map guided me to a cluster of rather mangled beeches at the edge of an old quarry.

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Categories Blog, Inspiration, Locations, Trees

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Trees of Marchmont 1

  • Post date May 20, 2023

Hugo’s ‘Tree of Wonder’

It wasn’t too easy to find but it was so worth the effort. On a breezy March day in the Scottish Borders, I headed up a hill with my tree drawing sketchbook and kit, through a disused quarry onto a moor, then into a remnant of an old plantation.

a very large beech tree

There in front of me stood a magnificent pollarded beech, vast in girth and rich with mossy bark and wet hollows. Huge limbs, encased in green spread low across the leaf littered ground. Its historical management contributed to this complexity of form and extent of decay, now providing habitat for the millions of tiny lives we cannot see. I could see why Hugo regarded it as wondrous.

a large old beech tree covered in moss

I felt very small while drawing it and didn’t quite know how to begin translating something so impressive into my sketchbook. I just began tracing the twists of the trunk and the flow of the branches, and the awe subsided a little as I settled into looking. Those first sketches are rarely satisfying drawings in themselves, more records of a moment of meeting. This was a meeting to remember.

a sketch of a tree

I’ve been here drawing trees as part of my preparation for the Marchmont commission. I’ll be adding more blog posts on the project as it progresses – if you’d like to read more start here.

 

Categories Blog, Locations, Trees

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Reflections on The Old Lock Up residency

  • Post date May 18, 2023

Old Lock Up Gallery residency interior Tansy Lee MoirI spent the first week in May on a residency at The Old Lock Up Gallery in my native Derbyshire. I moved to Scotland almost 30 years ago but still feel a pull to the trees and rocks of my childhood landscapes. It was good to be back.

drawing of an ancient oak in charcoal

Oak trees in charcoal

Before I travelled to Cromford, I gave myself a particular focus for the work and some practical constraints. I’ve learned that I’m most productive and creative when

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Categories Blog, Residencies

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Spring exhibition news

  • Post date April 24, 2023
an oil painting of an ancient beech tree
‘Roots reflected’ Oil on wood panel

Two of my oil paintings will be featuring in The Old Lock Up Gallery Open Exhibition opening 14th May and running until 10th June. I was very pleased to be selected to show in this beautiful gallery space along with 31 other artists – I’m looking forward to seeing all the works chosen by gallerist Rachael Pinks.

oil painting of an ancient tree
‘In Place’ Oil on wood panel

See here for a full list of artists, venue and show details.

Categories Blog, Exhibitions, News

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Women talking trees

  • Post date April 24, 2023

What happens when two ‘tree women’ get together? This conversation!

Cheryl Duerden is a forester and ancient tree champion who runs a blog and Instagram account for people who work with, protect, love and learn about trees. I was delighted that she invited me to be interviewed for her ‘Talking Giants’ series last month as she was particularly keen to have a female interviewee for the International Women’s day edition.

We had such a warm and interesting conversation, ranging around how my artwork has grown and been influenced by my subject to some more philosophical musings on our relationships with trees.

You can watch it here and have a peek at my tidied up studio in the background.

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Cheryl Duerden (@inalandofgiants.blog)

Thanks to Cheryl for the opportunity to share my art and for being a great host. She’s had lots of other interesting guests too – look for her ‘Talking Giants’ posts and immerse yourself in some tree talk.

Categories Blog, Frequently Asked Questions, Press

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