The idea of looking at the small details of the natural world was borne out of inevitability. In early 2006, whilst attending the Artist in residency program at Arthur Boyd's Bundanon in New South Wales, I found myself surrounded by bush, Eucalyptus trees, strange rock formations and lots of moss. I had dabbled 2 years earlier in depicting some small rock details whilst on my first Austrian residency, but here was the chance to really flesh it out as a concept and a series.

The Tree Spirits have accompanied me ever since. It gives me a chance to free myself from time to time, explore my palette and define techniques.