Kerry's Celtic roots and the ancient primal woodland of her native North Wales are explored in this mysterious, evocative work. The Call of the Trees is a darkly atmospheric counterpoint to Kerry's classic The Wise One and other forest works.
Kerry Darlington - sketching plain air
This video was an ideal chance for us to document Kerry sketching in her local environments; witnessing first hand the epic scenery that inspires her. It was also a chance to interact with one of Kerry's very own animal companions, the irrepressible pug Albie - our new star turn!
(An early sketch for 'Call of the Trees')
North Wales - ancient earthworks!
As well as the ancient trees and hills of the Clwydian Range in Flintshire, This video also features 'The Gop' - Britain's second-largest neolithic mound (after Silbury Hill). Not a 'barrow' style burial mound, this ancient earthwork more closely resembles the base of a pyramid and it's origins are shrouded in mystery. An apt location for Kerry's artistic muse!
The Call of the Trees - behind the scenes
This video was a great chance to film a work in it's very early stages of production: particularly Kerry sketching in her 'second studio' - the great outdoors! Using the Wyecliffe drone, we were able to take in the fantastic scenery... However, the unusual weather conditions combining gale-force winds and constantly changing light (due to the racing clouds) were attributed by Kerry to the unfathomable mystical influence of The Gop! As a result, many shots had to be carefully slowed down and stabilised in post production (the drone in particular was thrown about in the air!) however, it lead to many dramatic shots of Kerry's hair blowing heroically in the wind (as well as Albie's ears! See if you can spot them flapping)! So the final effect was fantastic and added a suitably epic twist to this most atmospheric of works....