Dungeness Sea Kale (Microclimate) Print
213mm x 213mm (includes small white border)
Digital Print on Heavyweight Archival Paper.
Signed & Dated
Based on Original Gouache Painting.
 
I painted ‘Dungeness Sea Kale (Microclimate)’ during the height of the pandemic when our daily walks in the local area were our only source of entertainment. We spent a lot of time exploring neighbouring Dungeness during the summer of 2020. Dungeness has its own microclimate and because of this is home to lots of interesting and unique wildlife. My painting studies in minute detail an extremely tough native plant, Sea Kale - which is making a comeback along our coastlines here in Britain. It is a highly specialised species that has adapted to thrive in hostile conditions which would kill almost any other plant. Here on the Dungeness stormy shoreline, it has buried its roots deep into the salty shingle providing the perfect habitat for many insects. Camouflaged amongst the Sea Kale is a Sussex Emerald Moth, an insect exclusively found in Dungeness. In the face of the terrifying effects of climate change, and everything we have been through during the pandemic, my painting draws focus to the comfort and hope that can be found in examining the intricacies and resourcefulness of nature.