Image credit: Simon Hulme of the Yorkshire Post
The Japanese word Sakura means cherry blossom. A special time of the year in Spring both in Japan and here when Cherry trees burst forth with flowers.
In Japan they are a symbolic flower of ‘renewal’ and how life is short and fleeting. The Japanese celebrate this time by meeting friends under the blossom, having picnics and taking photographs, called Hanami. Hanami means ‘watching the blossom’ At night it is so romantic under the blossom and couples enjoy the atmosphere. Night time blossom watch is called Yozakura.
Here in Britain, our Cherry blossom trees flower at the beginning of May and generally only last for two weeks, before they flutter to the ground and disappear.
This year the National Trust launched Blossom Watch to brighten everyone’s life and highlight how nature can be a source of comfort to us all. Tag #Blossomwatch and your location on social media and download blossom-inspired things to do including poems and ideas for mindfulness and where you can see the blossoms. They are also planting 68 new orchards to encourage wildlife across Britain by 2025.
Artists such as Van Gough have depicted these flowers throughout history. Following in his footsteps are celebrated Yorkshire artists: - David Hockney and Damien Hirst, who this year been inspired by Van Gough and these stunning blossoms. David Hockney from his house in Normandy in a series of iPad drawings marking the start of Spring and Damien Hirst who has produced a series of Limited-Edition blossom prints.
Harrogate has an amazing Cherry Tree promenade on The Stray which I too, have painted many times in these precious two weeks. I take my canvas and acrylic paints outside and paint ‘en plein air’ here capturing the blossoms in all shades of pink just using the end of a fallen twig to paint with. You can see the variety of paintings I have created both as originals and limited and open edition prints and cards on my website here > https://anitabowerman.co.uk/search?type=product&q=cherry+blossom Alternatively do visit my Dove Tree Art Gallery in central Harrogate.
My background to painting outside stems from early childhood. No matter what the weather - I'll always try and paint outside of my studio to capture the subject matter be it animals, landscapes or as is often the case - a combination!
Beautiful autumn colouring this year inspired me to capture the cherry trees on the stray in Harrogate - slightly windy conditions made the outdoors challenging but well worth the effort - !
Had a fabulous time at the gardens of Monet in the tranquil village of Giverny. Made all the more exciting when a massive storm hit the village the evening we arrived - ended up eating my Sea Bass in a plate full of rainwater..... as the restaurant got deluged!
Anita Bowerman
Author
Artist