Open Studios features treescaper in the heats of Landscape Artist of the Year and shortlisted for British Art Prize
Open Studios West Berkshire and North Hampshire runs this year from May 4 to 27. Among the 135 artists, in 89 venues, there are 24 new participants. Over the coming weeks N2 is introducing readers to some of the local artists and makers who will be opening their studios and workplaces to visitors. This week meet painter Cat Croxford and her Woodland Stories…
TREESCAPE painter Cat Croxford has a new body of work and new interest following her recent appearance as a heat artist in Landscape Artist of the Year 2024, and being shortlisted for The British Art Prize.
Cat paints with distinctive broken brushmarks, creating an experience that changes as you move closer to the surface of the canvas and back out again. Seen at a distance they almost have an unnatural reality.
“I work from black canvas,” she explains, “layering paint to illuminate the composition and to ultimately create the sensations of being in the woods.”
Her work creates a window into nature where you can lose yourself, explore pathways and imagine secrets hidden behind the trees.
Some paintings have the uncanny trick of reflecting the changing light throughout the day, a scene will appear as dawn in the morning, dusk in the evening.
All are real places, real moments.
“Our relationship with trees and woodland is elemental, we have lived with the forests and trees for thousands of years, relying on the timber, finding spiritual significance in sacred groves, being inspired to weave woodland stories and reflecting under broadleaf boughs.
“With my work I aim to connect us with that evolving kinship by capturing stories and places in familiar woods that everyone can recognise.
“In this way I can bring new meaning and focus to our personal relationship with the woods.
“I’m super looking forward to my fourth Open Studios this year, collaboration and community are essential parts of being an artist, and these are at the core of Open Studios membership.”
You can find Cat’s work at the Artists at Shaw at Byeways in Love Lane, Newbury, alongside Sydney Klugman, Robert Fitzmaurice, Gavin Wilkinson, Emma Clifton-Brown and Jane Brind.
Open every weekend in May, and both bank holidays Monday 6 and 27, 11am to 6pm.
Useful links:
https://artistoftheyear.co.uk/
See you there!
