CONVERSING WITH TREES

JANET MURPHY

//Janet is from the United Kingdom, now based in Somerset. She trained as a Textile Designer and her photoart revolves around textures, surface patterns and blending her own photographic images with mixed media, collage and gold leaf. We present some images from her series of expressionist landscape art from woodland sanctuaries.

Janet grew up in Cornwall and began her studies there with the wonderful artist Beryl Chapple. She attended Exeter University to continue her education in Fine Art and Photography, followed by a degree in Textile Design in Somerset. Her textile work has included creating 18th Century historical costumes for private clients and the National Trust in Somerset. Photography and image-making have always been her passion. She uses both Pentax and Canon DSLR cameras and lenses. She is a member of the Royal Photographic Society and Somerset Artworks.

NATURE I LOVED, AND NEXT TO NATURE, ART.
Walter Savage Landor

What draws you to the arts?

“Landscape art is a huge influence on my work, especially Scottish landscape artists. I have spent time studying female landscape artists, expressionist art, and I also have a passion for sculpture and ceramics.”

What do you like best about photo art such as the images you have shared with us?

“I am passionate about the environment and the beauty of the forest environment. It will be a lifelong project,which I will continue for many years.”

Janet cares deeply about environmental issues and animal welfare. Her work reflects her love for the outdoors, including beautiful places in the UK, especially Somerset.

Woodland Sanctuary/conversing with trees is a year long project for which Janet collected images of forests and trees from three seperate locations. She combined her photographic images with collage and gold leaf and handmade paper.

Click on the photos to see a larger image in original dimensions.