trees | Samantha Humphreys

March 29, 2025

The Calming Power of Circles in Art

Bocking Woods (2025)

Circles feature in much of my art, they are conducive to a sense of calm to me. Seeing such a perfect example with its swooping curve of nature, during an early morning walk filled me with joy. It was a great start to my day.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been recovering slowly. It was from a monster of a migraine. The headache started during a day of teaching at school. I could do little to prevent it from escalating. The Easter holidays will be a time to reset. I will plan how to regain a little balance. Lately, time has been running away with me. I imagine this is why I still have the remnants of pain in my head. It is also why it is taking me an age to finish writing this post!

Walking is like a tool in my well being toolbox. It serves me well in terms of making sure I’m capable of thinking about my day ahead. It allows me to ponder on recent days. I can plan how I will build balance into each part of this one.

The day begins and ends with celestial circles; and I find that using circles in my practice is soothing. Whether it be a mandala, an emotion wheel, a print, or a zentangle pattern. The presence of a circle on my page is always aesthetically pleasing.

Witnessing such a fine example at the end of a long path through the forest was satisfying. It felt like a perfect metaphor for my difficult couple of weeks. It was a lovely addition to my morning walk. It seemed like a magical entrance to a fabulous day.

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March 4, 2025

The Benefits of Journaling Through Art

This afternoon was the first of two journaling lessons I teach at The Art and Design Studios in Great Waltham. Today’s task was my favourite exercise, drawing a tree. We draw trees we find pleasing and give thought to their similarities and differences to humanity. There are many topics of discussion to focus on that crop up during the session. I have taught this exercise over many years and each time it differs in content, outcomes and it develops. I learn from it myself, always.

I have many versions of drawing a tree. The one above is the first from today. I have another class tonight, so I will do at least one more. The tree is one I pass at least once a day. It often has a gang of dog walkers gathered underneath, chatting and socialising their dogs. Whatever the weather, they throw sticks in the river for games of ‘Fetch’. This is lovely to see. I manoeuvre my way around excitable pups who sometimes jump up to say hello. This prompts many apologies all round for a variety of reasons. Of course, all are totally unnecessary. But hey-that’s what we English do right?

This was very early morning yesterday and it was particularly tranquil. The weather was bitingly cold. I was so comfortable because I dress in many layers. I always prepare for being cold, especially when out early. The sky was as blue as early summer and I felt the endorphins flood through me. I reflected on how grateful I am to live within walking distance of these green spaces. I am grateful that I am healthy enough to enjoy them. I am also grateful that I have the freedom to do so. I can honestly say that I owe my new positive mindset, to once drawing a tree several years ago.

Time to think is important, even if it’s only for a minute every so often. Gift yourself the time.

The Art and Design Studios -Instagram

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January 5, 2025

So here it is…2025

Well, that happened fast! A year ago I was sat here making promises to myself that I would scoop myself up from the depths to which I had plummeted to and climb to a reasonable level of better mental health.

Walking in the woods this morning through the dip that has been carved out over time, I was hit by the thought that as I was eye level with tree roots, I must be what once was underground. It was a good grounding (no pun intended) realisation that we need to sculpt our own pathways in life. Some sections of the path is easier for some than it is for others, people face obstacles differently with no two battles won in the same way. There are roots to trip us up along the way if we aren’t careful and either side of us, the strength of the trees and overhanging branches that provide protection and shelter, can also overwhelm; reminding us that we are just a small piece of the artwork and if we don’t look after ourselves; we can easily be beaten.

However, I feel optimistic as I walk through here each morning. The subterranean dip feels safe, the tree roots protect the sides from caving in and although they may cause us to trip from time to time, they also support underfoot. Should I wish to stop moving forward for a time, the tree roots help me out by providing steps out. They also make it easy to step back in when I’m ready.

Steps (2024)

So to summarise as I realise I’m waffling a bit, I can’t help ‘metaphoring’ but I’m a great advocate for how taking time to walk through these kind of spaces provides such clarity to an otherwise smoggy brain; I am in a much better place than I was a year ago. I have developed strategies to take control of my pathway and just being able to ‘be in control again’ laid a strong foundation for me to succeed. It has by no means been easy, I have worked really hard over the past year. As a result, working from my own experiences (sometimes it is advantageous being older) I have been able to develop my practice in therapeutic art and have written and led courses in Art and Wellbeing and bespoke creative workshops.

I love what I do.

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June 10, 2023

Miles, Minutes & Steps

Creativity takes courage. ”Henri Matisse”

I have started a new job this week, I am going to be learning how to translate what I have learned as a University College lecturer into what is required of me to teach in a school. It is a lot to learn, I will have to think quicker and ‘do’ faster and If that isnt scary enough, I was used to a wellbeing routine, early morning walks full of rich green-ness and tranquility that started my day off whatever lay ahead. That has all turned a little chaotic and I need to find a way to develop a new routine, I need that walk infused into the start of the day. I already wake at the crack of dawn and I find that while I’m thinking all this, inside my head is like a roladex that flips round and round and I can’t quite grasp the visual and exciting ideas that whizz past at too fast a pace….Breathe…

…Today, I decided that what I must do, while my routine develops organically, I will take every chance i get to ‘bank’ wellbeing miles, minutes, steps-whatever I can to keep my mind healthy. So today I banked some, stopping (inside, I was annoyed that I kept on doing this) to take photos of the familiar route I have been craving all week, which had a newness to it, as though its a metaphor for the new eyes nature of my new role.

The Wood Melick brushes that delicately protrude from the side of my path and then once onto the newly mown and difficult to walk on fieds, the purple Orchard Grass catches my eye in the thick patches of wild that have been left.

Then there are my favourite trees, well, some of my favourite trees, I have several…I’ll stop now.

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Tag: trees

Creativity takes courage. ”Henri Matisse”