A North Yorkshire-based artist plans to plant a new woodland after the success of her Sycamore Gap tree painting.
Lucy Pittaway, who owns a gallery on Harrogate’s James Street, painted an image of the famous tree with a Northern Lights backdrop after being moved by its destruction in September.
She pledged to plant a tree for every print sold. In just eight weeks, she sold almost 1,500 copies.
Now, Ms Pittaway wants to team up with a landowner to use the trees to create a public woodland.
She said:
“The Sycamore Gap tree was one of the most iconic features of the northern landscape and its felling has had a deep impact on many people,
“The tree can never be replaced but hopefully we can do something to ensure its legacy lives on.”
She has a vision of the new woodland being used for recreation and education. Features might include a forest school which children can visit to learn about nature, woodland walks, picnic areas and areas for quiet reflection.
Nicki Wilkinson, who is business development manager and has previously managed two of Ms Pittaway’s galleries, said:
“The response has been phenomenal, firstly from people getting in touch to ask Lucy to paint something in memory of the tree and then secondly in response to the painting with almost 1,500 prints sold in the first eight weeks.
“Hopefully something positive can come out of what has been such a sad event which has impacted so many people.”
Read more:
- Well known Yorkshire artist to open gallery in Harrogate town centre
- Sneak peek: Artist Lucy Pittaway’s new Harrogate gallery
