No one does trees quite like Annie Ovenden, and we now have some

Mar 10
3 min read

We are delighted to have some artwork in from Annie Ovenden. Annie is perhaps best known for her tree studies and paintings depicting the rural landscape of inland Cornwall where she lives and works.

We have two of Annie's tree studies - one of a beech tree up by the Bodmin Beacon and the other of a clearing in the New Forest. Both clearly show how Annie has perfected reflecting both the beauty and energy of trees and our natural landscape.

Beech On the Beacon - Oil on board - Original

Clearing in the New Forest - Oil on board - Original

Trees, and their power to stir intense feelings within us have been a focus for Annie throughout her career. It is always interesting to learn about what inspires and motivates creative people to do what they do. This is how Annie describes how art and trees became such an important part of her life and work.

" My early childhood was spent in a tiny village in, what was then, deepest Buckinghamshire. It was just after the war so there were no amenities or council playgrounds, instead our play-time was spent amongst the beech tree avenues, the horse chestnut clumps and the fruit tree orchards. Trees were our climbing frames, our swings, our hiding places and even at times out tuck shops. The big chestnut tree (which still bears my initials carved into its bark) by the telephone box was the village notice board and meeting place. The town bus stopped by it once a week and Sargent Brown the local Bobby stood under that chestnut on a Friday evening. If any of us children were naughty we were sent to see him! Such early memories are responsible, I’m guessing, for imprinting me with the love of trees.

When I was seven years old my Mother was seriously ill, this changed everything and I was bundled off to stay with an Aunt, I recall my Mother saying to this Aunt “Ann likes to paint” - so I must have started young. It was and is still true today – I do like to paint. From there I went to boarding school where I was fortunate enough to meet a very enthusiastic art teacher whose help and ideas I still refer to today. It’s a strange thought but I often think that I owe my artistic life to cancer.

I am constantly looking at the landscape around me and in particular the trees within that scenery. I feel trees have the power to create a sense of dependability, safeness, even wellbeing. I’m attracted to the way the light dances across them, the patterns they create, the rhythms and the stories they tell are what I try to portray in my work"

In 1961 Annie went on to study at High Wycombe School of Art, gaining NDD in Book Illustration and Graphic Design in 1965. She worked as a graphic designer and painter in London for several years before moving to Cornwall in 1973. In 1975 Sir Peter Blake asked her to join a group of seven like-minded artists, the group was subsequently called The Brotherhood of Ruralists. The Ruralist’s first public showing as a unified entity took place at the Royal Academy in 1976 followed by the Bath Festival in 1977. From these showings until 2007 the Ruralists maintained a vigorous exhibition program.

Annie taught for seventeen years for North Cornwall’s Adult Education Service. She has had many solo exhibitions and was an honorary member of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts. She was also a member of The St. Ives Society of Artists and The Arborealists.

But Annie doesn't only paint trees. We also have two of her floral studies - Sweet Peas in a China Mug and Flowers for a Friend that show the exquisite detail of her work and versatile use of different media.