I started painting this cherry tree with blue skies above on a perfect late autumn day in Kew Gardens. Half way through the wind picked up, the brightly coloured leaves started fluttering and then a gentle rain began. I completed the painting underneath my not quite big enough umbrella and the result is a painting collaboration with the rain drops.

The soggy piece of handmade Seichosen paper was carefully rolled in a quilt and brought to my studio to dry. I then placed the paper on a large piece of perspex, soaked it in water again and gently smoothed out the creases with a soft brush. Once dry I ironed the paper and pasted a wooden batten to the top edge with a clear hanging thread strung through it.

A unique record of the day, the season and a beautiful Prunus Matsumae Hanagasa.