Spring presents the most amazing spectacle and in a short window early May, the Cherry Blossoms burst forth followed by the Bluebells and sometimes at the same time. I love being outside in the elements capturing these sights.
For the past 14 years I have painted this spectacle of two archways of Cherry Blossom trees outside on Harrogate’s Stray. You can see my latest collection of blossoms on my website here https://anitabowerman.co.uk/collections/cherry-
blossom-art
I take my canvas outside, differing in size from a large 100cm x 75cm to the smallest 20cm x 20cm and just use a fallen twig to paint with, dipping it into acrylic paint to create the structure of the trees and mixing each blossom petal to create the petals in a myriad of different shades of pink. I find I can capture the atmosphere, the light, colour and movement of the trees and blossom so much better being outside in nature than inside a studio working from sketches or photographs. This year I captured the petals on the ground which made a carpet of confetti in the palest of pink too.
I have never seen any insects or birds on the Stray until this year when, painting the background for this Cherry Blossom painting, bees were attracted to the colour and started landing on the canvas.
Did you know that approximately 200 trees were planted in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 coronation? Harrogate has become synonymous with this display. When I started painting these cherry blossom trees all those years ago, hardly anyone except local people walked along these avenues of trees. Instagram, Tik Tok and social media, plus the national newspapers have drawn hundreds of people here recently from all over the country. It was number one place to see Cherry Blossom
in the North of England in the Telegraph in 2026 alongside the Times and Time Out because it is the best blossom display in the North of England. It is also a tradition to view Cherry Blossom in countries such as Japan, South Korea and China. In India the blossoms are associated with renewal, beauty and love.You can now see influencers, photographers, drones, families having picnics and people generally enjoying themselves. Apparently a Deliveroo driver was seen delivering food to a family on a moped!
So next May do visit Harrogate and see me painting this wondrous sight. Afterwards why not see my new collection of Cherry Blossom paintings at The Dove Tree Art Gallery and studio on Back Granville Road Harrogate HG1 1AB, near Harrogate Theatre, I would love to show your round.
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