Spirit of Spring, 40x40x1.5 inches oil on canvas of a blue stag in a springwood. The blue stag stands to the right looking back at us. He is forming out of the forest and the hint of bluebell and woodland flowers in and around him. He is transparent in some places and corporeal in other, hence the name spirit of spring. He was born in the forest, eats the product of it and is therefore created to a degree by it. The landscape itself is semi-abstract and is mostly of the blues and greens you see in English woodland in April and May. I painted it after walking in woodland in the Sussex area and tried to capture the sheer abundance of the new life I saw while walking. I love the colours and scent of bluebells and other wildflowers and the enthusiasm that nature has at that time of year. I did not see the stag but I did hear him bellowing (which was scary). Clearly, I was in his forest and he was letting me know. Spring as a season fascinates me as it vibrates with exuberant energy as every plant, insect, bird and animal goes into action. I tried to capture this feeling in this painting and am pleased with the result. The stag is there because the deer are the kings and queens of the wood. The canvas is a deep edge, white edges, ready to hang, no frame needed.
