This is the south western end of a long island in the river Great Ouse - a nature reserve - as seen from Bedford's Prebend street bridge. The river is flowing away from us, descending 112 feet over 72 miles to the North sea at a rate of two swimming pools a minute. I started this painting in spring and have just been working on the tangle of birch and willow branches. I wanted to contrast the trees' crown of golds, greens and mauves - with its darker reflection in the water. The surface of the water transforms the angular branches to swaying curves. The island seems to rise from the river like the surfacing head of a green man or a river god: the force of nature. The present heat and drought remind us of the importance of water: our lives depend on it. In this series of 'River' paintings, I hope to honour the beauty of what is too often taken for granted. |