Let the Light In – Oil on Linen Painting by Janice Lightowler

An original oil on linen painting by Janice Lightowler, depicting light filtering through the trees above the Shimna River and Ivy Bridge in Tollymore Forest.

Medium: Oil on linen
Size: 79 × 139 cm
Location: Tollymore

Artist’s statement

Situated at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, Co Down, Tollymore is my favourite forest. I find it so inspiring and it has a magical pull that draws me back year after year in all seasons, inspiring many paintings over my career.

Even in the height of summer there is a cool dampness under the canopy down by the river, which on those rare hot days can be so refreshing.

This place, with all its complexities, sums up life’s journey. Below, the river moves in shadow, its depths dark and uncertain as in life, yet even in the densest forest, light insists on finding a way through the canopy of trees. Light filters gently through and playfully shimmers on the surface of the river. A single ray of sunlight is enough to soften the darkness, and when it enters, it does not merely illuminate, it transforms.

In this piece I have used very strong diagonals to draw the viewer in to its wonder. The linen has been given no room to breathe as the paint has consumed every fibre of it in multiple layers.

The water at this part of the Shimna River is relaxing as it passes under the Ivy Bridge. As the river widens and slows, eddies form which resemble rich cream being stirred into black coffee. This combination creates the perfect bridge from which to play Pooh Sticks. All generations of my family still look for the perfect stick every time we visit and enjoy playing this fun game as we run from one side of the bridge to the other encouraging our stick with enthusiastic shouts.

Yet, as you can see from the exposed roots we are reminded of a time when the calm was replaced by violent floods descending from the Mournes, eroding the banks and revealing the scars of suffering of a previous life.

As also with life, the artist starts with a blank canvas and our journey is painted using texture, colour, tone and composition but it can only become truly magical if we “Let The Light In”.