Developing the idea of native and non-native trees, we tried to figure out which species were native to this part of the world. Surprisingly, some of the most familiar types of tree and shrub were non-native. We marked some places on the map showing the origin of monkey puzzle trees (somewhere that monkeys live) rhododendron (Himalayas/ Turkey) and horse chestnut (Albania, Greece and the Balkans).

A surprise package from me was full of burnt sticks. The class drew with them and decided they were a bit like charcoal. Comparisons with actual charcoal convinced them even more. We talked about willow charcoal and drew catkins two ways -1: by covering the page with charcoal using heavy strokes and then using white bread squished into a soft chubby stick and taking away the charcoal to describe the furry pussy willow texture.2: We used thin charcoal sticks to do a more conventional drawing. One person in the class was using breath to scatter the charcoal and create the halo of pollen around the furry catkin. We compared the results. The conventional approach was more familiar but the group enjoyed the experimentation. Crumbs, dust, pollen. Lovely work.

Artist Triona Ryan was there for a shadow visit and will be starting her own project imminently. Hope you all have lots of fun in Derryhale.