A Plympton artist found the perfect remedy to overcome lockdown lethargy after discovering Plymouth’s nature reserves.
Naula Taylor was inspired by stories on Plymouth City Council’s website earlier this year about the 13 nature reserves in the city – all of which are open to the public free of charge.
Most people in the city know all about Plymouth’s many parks and open spaces, but Nuala is convinced that many of them have never visited one of the nature reserves.
Having been impressed by the stories on the website she decided to explore them for herself – and as a landscape artist she just had to respond.
The result was ‘Lockdown Landscapes: Plymouth’s Hidden Gems’ – a series of five landscape paintings reflecting the diversity of landscape and habitats that the reserves have to offer, from the glistening winter mud banks of estuary creeks to the cool, still pool at Efford Marshes and the bluebells and hawthorns of Plymouth Woods and Newnham Nature Reserve.
Nuala said:
“I have lived in Plymouth for 60 years and just did not know what the city has to offer with the nature reserves – neither did many of the people I have spoken to.
“Given the current concerns about the effect of the lockdowns on health and wellbeing, it is more important than ever that people get out and about and enjoy the benefits of the natural environment.”
With Love Parks Week taking place between July 23 and August 1, Nuala is encouraging local residents to make the most of the nature reserves and other green spaces.
She said:
“Landscape painting is what I most enjoy, so I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful area. From my home in Plympton, it’s only a 20 minute drive to the beach in one direction, and 20 minutes to the moors in the other!
“But discovering the local nature reserves has been an eye-opener. So many of them, such as Newnham, right on my doorstep, I had never heard of before – despite having lived in Plymouth for so many years. They are all so different too including estuaries, woodland and meadows.
“One of my favourites has got to be Ernesettle Creek, with its tidal mudflats, views across the Tamar to Cornwall, and an abundance of wild birds, including the oyster catchers with their bright orange legs and beaks. Plymouth City Council has done a great job of maintaining the paths, so the walk to the end fo the estuary is very accessible, and it’s right on a bus route!
“For me, these reserves are the perfect lock down antidote. After being cooped up for so long, to be able to get out into the landscape, to get that sense of light and space, of being able to stretch my eyes, is a real tonic.
“I set myself a challenge. I decided to paint the reserves, and use the paintings to help promote them so that others get out and enjoy them too. I’m not finished yet, but I’m getting there. And then, of course, I can visit them all over again, in different seasons, weather conditions, states of the tide. I could be busy for quite some time yet!”
Visit Nuala’s Instagram page at www. instagram.com/taylornuala to see more of her work.
For more information about the local nature reserves visit www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspaces/localnaturereserves
