Evocative forests

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.” — Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau, the American naturalist, essayist and poet found in the woods of Massachusetts something essential and transcendent.

There is something about spending time patiently in woodland and forests that evokes a deep response within us all.

Forest monoprint by Fiona Fouhy

 At ITF, we celebrate our profound connection with trees.

One way we’re doing that is through celebrating inspiring art and artists. Fiona Fouhy is ITF’s artist of the year. Her work on trees comes from her encounters with nature. Like Thoreau, she takes her inspiration from being in the woods, in this case Epping Forest which is close to where she lives with her family.

 Fiona’s work reflects careful observation. And it seems to me that what she creates is born out of her time spent patiently in the forest - sitting, observing, listening, tuning in, connecting.

When I look at her work I feel it articulates that deep response we feel among trees and forests.  And I can see why Thoreau found, in the woods of Massachusets, ‘the essential facts of life’.

Protect our forests

Your support today can help to sustain our magnificent forests so that we can all enjoy their essential and transcendent power.