The final weeks of summer, August is a month of change in woodlands. Forest fruits, nuts and berries begin to ripen offering birds and wildlife plentiful foraging as summer days come to a close, and the woodland readies itself for the season ahead.

Even with the unrelenting hot dry weather we’ve had this summer, forests can be a shady refuge for wildlife and a reminder of the importance of protecting woodlands and our wild spaces.

In the Woods this Month

Fruits of the forest

From rowan berries to crab apples, many woodland trees are beginning to slowly grow their fruits as we move through August. And with the ongoing dry weather, some may start to ripen earlier than usual in the UK.

Here are a few trees to keep an eye on this month as they transition from leafy green to wonderfully fruitful displays ready for the autumn:

• Elder
• Rowan
• Crab Apple
• Hawthorn
• Hazel
• Wild Cherry

I love to spot these trees when walking in the woods and will often collect a few berries or leaves to sketch back in the studio and inspire new paintings.

Last year I painted the Goldfinches and Bullfinches artwork which were very much inspired by the seasonal changes in woodlands. In these paintings you’ll find these birds nestled in bramble, elderberries and rosehips.

A Little Nature Connection

Something to try: Foraging in August

As well as good foraging for birds and wildlife, August also offers us some foraging opportunities not to miss... (blackberry pie anyone!?). It’s a wonderful way to connect with nature and spend a lazy weekend afternoon, taking a walk in the woods and bringing home some forest found food.

Blackberries are perfect for us novices, but if you want to push the boat out a little further, take a look at the Woodland Trust's guide to foraging in August to get you started with some ideas. Personally, I’ll be keeping an eye out for elderberries later in the month to make this elderberry syrup!

Always be careful when wild foraging, refer to a guide and always be 100% sure what you’re picking!

In the Studio this Month

At the beginning of this month, I’ll be launching three new limited edition art prints from my summer art collection. Each is a woodland inspired interpretation of traditional still life floral art originally painted in gouache.

They are a celebration of a summer forest, featuring bountiful summertime vases overflowing with all sorts of forest finds, birds, moths and beautiful blooms...

Preorders are open for just a few more days and orders will be sent to their new homes on the 6^th August.

You can find the collection here.

As we move through the rest of August I’ll be in the woods taking in the seasonal changes and searching for forest finds nestled between the trees.

I’m excited to spend some time working on new paintings which I plan to share over the coming weeks!

Art Print of the Month

Goldfinches

From rosehips and elderberries to the changing colours of birch leaves, this art print features forest finds that take us from late summer to early autumn.

You can find the goldfinches art print here.