Light Between the Trees

Lucy Augé is an artist who captures the fragile essence of nature. Working between abstraction and representation, explore the following words & imagery, where Lucy describes working alongside nature and the seasons, and how they dictate her artwork.

Finding patterns in nature is an ethereal task, as if trying to grasp a ghost, for even if the same plant grows again and again, the bow of its petalled head or twist of its leaf will never be replicated. These visions of briefness become beautiful in themselves, so that each plant is painted and revered as an individual worthy of a portrait. I like to gravitate to nature’s pace, slowing to paint and observe the fine details that may easily be missed in the rush of the present day. My studio is immersed in the countryside, where the surrounding weeds, blooms and trees feature in my daily experience.

My attention has recently been captivated by tree shadows. Working quickly, I turn a segment of their cascading branches into almost abstract art. The latest block of shadows I have done was born from the gloom of June 2019. Pockets of white sky flitted between the frail twigs and branches. I noticed there were these beautiful abstract shapes between the leaves, and I wanted to explore that within my painting. Using Japanese and Sumi inks for its fluidity and gradient, each painting is sparse, allowing the delicate shapes and subtle colours to fully come forward.

Lucy is renowned for producing large bodies of still life work, collections that are exhibited internationally. Recent exhibits include the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, Compton Verney and The Garden Museum.

Photographs & Words by Lucy Augé | lucyauge.co.uk

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