For me, art is about observation. In Nature we see forms that are the products of physical forces interacting. Over millions of years of evolution, environmental pressures have produced incredible complexity.

As a child, I roamed on my own. I found  'special places' and became fascinated by natural forms. The branches of trees seemed to be 'trying' to communicate something as if the forms were a kind of language. There was a sense of mystery, of something important just out of reach. I still feel this which is why I observe and represent them as accurately as I can.

Obviously making a picture involves choices and some forms stand out to me. "The artist is at the same time a political being" said Picasso and I often use the forms to comment on contemporary issues and events.

I find drawing the most effective way of representing the forms and I use colour sparingly because I find that it can distract from the drawing.

I'm suspicious of images that rely on impact rather than rewarding study and those that come entirely from the imagination. Even the best imagination is feeble when compared with the limitless source of Nature.

I want my work to be studied and searched for meaning, to operate on the level of statement and comment but also to inspire people to be in awe of the strangeness and richness of Nature and to experience her mystery.

Garry Cartlidge