THE NATURE OF THINGS DAVID MORGAN
In the first few lines of Thomas Hardy’s novel
Under the Greenwood Tree, he writes: “To dwellers in a wood, almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature... the holly whistles as it battles with itself; the ash hisses amid its quiverings; the beech rustles while its flat boughs rise and fall.”
I read the book many years ago and I think these words have touched a chord with me. I am not a “dweller in a wood”, I live in Exeter which does, however, have many fine trees and setting out to paint them I am conscious of capturing the very nature of them. My encounters with trees leads me onto other subjects - hot summer days, torrential rain, fields and meadows, light on the river, waves breaking, the open moor. Working out what to paint and how to paint is never easy. It is an ongoing battle between artist, nature and paint. When I was in primary school I can remember doing a project with a friend of mine, Mark Boughton. We were allowed to go out each afternoon into the school grounds to sit and watch a swoop of house martins, whilst making notes and drawings of their activities. Perhaps this is where it all began, my interest in nature and of the many things within. David Morgan. 2022 1 Full Flow, River Dart ( cover) oil on board 51 x 61cms
13
Weeping Willow oil on canvas 21 x 26cms
14 Summer Oak oil on canvas 26 x 21cms
17. 03. 22
Eventually I am out painting this willow on the bank of the River Exe. I have been waiting for it to come into leaf as I wanted to see the light on the river through the leaves. In a month the undergrowth will have grown and the river will be out of view.
Tree, Spring
on board
Oak, Widecombe in the Moor oil on canvas 42 x 60cms
07. 22
I am up on the moor painting this magnificent oak which I had spotted when out walking. Blistering hot few days. The cattle still went about their business though munching away on the ever drying grass.
board
06. 22
Fishing has many similarities to painting outside. You can sit for hours on end immersed in your surroundings not realising where the time goes and as I am always saying to my family - it’s not for the fish that I go fishing.
Boats, Turf Locks
on board
x 49cms
24 Bonjour La Mer! oil on board 59 x 84cms
David Morgan was born in Croydon in 1964. He graduated from Winchester School of Art in 1988. In his own words he is “a land, sea and river painter who works en plein air. I love immersing myself in the subject and creating paintings which emit the strong emotions I have for the landscape.”
He is known for his impasto technique and bold use of colour, his depiction of light and the changing weather across the landscape. Although, recent, more contained studies of trees or free flowing Moorland rivers display his curiosity and evolving style.
