Copse Path, April 1940 1940

Allin Braund made this painting, Copse Path, in April 1940. Can you imagine standing where he stood with his easel, trying to capture the scene? I love how Braund guides our eyes along this winding path, using gentle greens and earthy browns. The trees are like old friends, their branches reaching out, creating a dance of light and shadow. I bet he mixed those greens himself, trying to get just the right tone for that specific kind of foliage. I've been there, you are trying to capture the light, get it just right. There's a rustic shed tucked away – a bit odd but kind of charming. It reminds me of folk art, and those painters working outside the so-called ‘mainstream’ who just get on with it, recording what they see. What was Braund thinking when he made this? Was he trying to find some peace in nature amidst the world falling apart? Painting is like that, you start with a question, and you never know where it will lead you.