Over the course of the past few months I have been thinking more about how we fit as a species in the ancient landscape and how the wooded landscape in particular has been the home for a prehistoric people that lived there. In the absence of any great cave painting sites in Northern Britain and very few primitive art objects and carvings being found in the archaeological record, I have made some of my own. I am absolutely convinced that 3,000 plus years ago we would have had a rich gallery of open air and portable artworks created. This new Northlands work is an extension of my earlier Kilmartin Series. Still influenced by the cup and ring marks of Argyll, Tayside and Northumberland, still inspired by the artworks of neolithic burial chambers in Ireland and always aware of the amazing pictograms of Scandinavia and Northern Spain - this is my response. 

A Big Tree respect for the folks attending today’s workshop helping us get the post lockdown etiquette and guidelines in place. Couldn’t be more grateful for you guys waiting patiently for the rescheduling slots. Thanks !! Big Tree it up for six fantastic makers Kate, Eli, Sam, Giordana, Anthony and Martine you were great company.

What a difference a year makes ! We’re pleased to have restarted the courses again. Thanks to great participants in the past two weeks we’ve made things safely. So here’s just a few smiling faces from last year. Let’s hope we can keep the good times going.
We’re slowly getting folks who have been put on hold this summer rebooked onto new dates. It’ll take a while to clear the 200 bookings but we’ll do it.
Keep safe everyone - and oh yes thanks for all the supportive messages and empathy - means so much to us during these strange times.

http://www.thebigtreesociety.co.uk/whats-happening/summer-time-is-coming

I once read in an old account by Sir Archibald Geikie in his great tome “The Scenery of Scotland” 1901 that the Scots were a “product of their landscape”. In some respects it’s true - the crag, the hill, the shore, the glen, the merse, the machair, the big sky and the endless sea. These elements may well mould and form behaviour and character.
I’ve always felt connected to my land, my coast and my past. These artworks are my response to things ancient, to connections and signs from long ago before.

A Big Tree welcome back to the new order and a Big Tree thank you to our first stool making course attendees Jim, Shaun, Willie, Gavin, John and Murdo. Thanks lads for making it such a great day. Stay safe guys. See some of you back quite soon.