Rhododendron wood

H 67.5 x W 40.2 cm. These measurements include the size of the image and paper boarder.

There are 20 prints in this edition and the final layer is varied in colour; some are dark brown and others forest green, hence the notation EV.

Printed using oil based Intaglio relief ink onto Fabriano Rosapina paper.

11 colour reduction linocut .

Visiting local woods in early summer, we’re fortunate to see an abundance of Rhododendrons. They are often persecuted in the United Kingdom as they apparently out-compete many native plants. They became popular during Victorian times providing ornamental value as well as cover for game birds.

I recently read that Rhododendrons have existed in the United Kingdom since the Ice age, as opposed to being introduced in the 1800s! Love them or hate them, their vivid colours and thick, leathery leaves are rather remarkable. Whilst they’re normally found in Western and Eastern Mediterranean countries such as Spain, Portugal and Turkey (and also eastwards through Asia into China) they didn’t look out of place amongst pines and other natives in the Surrey hills.