Janet Soutar

Janet Soutar

These paintings are of trees seen from the roads around Skye and Lochalsh.

The project began to develop as I drove around Skye and Lochalsh, and observed on the hillsides, scenes of dereliction next to thick patches of rich full grown commercial pine. I was deeply affected by the chaos and lack of care, the demonstration of corporate greed and by the trees fragile beauty.

 

"Balmacara Trees 5 " Framed Mixed Media on Paper 59x59cm £295

 

Trees are a living spiritual presence in our world. They belong to no-one, as we belong to no-one. They impart deep feelings and are a part of our psyche. Some of them are very old having lived for hundreds of years, with whole communities having been built around them. Without them life would be duller. Imagine a world without trees.

 

"Remnants" Framed Mixed Media on Paper 55x55cm £295

 

Do trees feel our presence? Do trees feel pain?

 

"Tree Litter" Framed Mixed Media on Paper

 

Trees are vital to the health of other life forms. They stand as an example of the way in which the natural world has been reduced to commodities, by huge forces which we seem unable to control. Trees have a benign life and give off a powerful potent presence. The way that trees are plundered is a visual representation of the way our planet is plundered.

 

"Portree Trees 2 " Framed Mixed Media on Paper 58x58cm £295

 

I often work with a very limited palette. For me the challenge is to convey image and mood, within certain confines, using the simplest of colour and tools.

"Where Lived The Tree People" Framed Mixed Media on Paper 60x60cm £295

 

Recently I have used poetry to express my feelings, in order to complement the images.

 

The Orts Poem
Pay no mind trees
To passing years
Giant felled trees
Chainsaw rips
Sawdust rains trees
Dignity stripped
Branches clipped
To clapped out board….
Entangled roots ‘n
Compound fractures
These once planted
Back to back trees
Reached for heaven
Now jagged toothpicks…

Progress has left you
Marched on without you
No place left you
You’re done and dusted
Left to rot trees
lost the plot
We have not trees
got a clue.
Now I stand here trees
Eyes in tears
What’s become trees
Of our world.

Copyright Janet Soutar 2011

 

 

Only some of these works by Janet are currently available at the gallery.

For more information please see the artists own website www.janetsoutar.com

 

All dimensions are approximate and show the overall width x height, including frame.

Please phone or email if you have a query or wish to make a purchase.

Postage and packing are not included in the prices quoted.

 

 

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