This "Sweet Gum" or Liquidambar Styraciflua is found in the South East U.S.A. and Mexico. I painted it in Kew Gardens, London in October 2020. The brilliant orange and yellow caught my eye from afar blazing out between the still green surrounding leaves. Deep Alizarin crimson - almost purple brown - outlines some of the leaves. The tree was a joyous carnival of colour with the star shaped leaves bursting out on slim curving multicoloured leaf stems like a lively tune from a Mariachi band.

I used a piece of handmade Seichosen paper from Japan for this banner. The paper is unsized and quite absorbent which allowed for the brushstrokes to mingle when placed next to each other reflecting the subtle colour changes of the leaves. I tried to create precise points at the tips of the leaves to articulate the star shapes with calligraphic attention. The edges of the paper are deckled showing the fibres and the papermakers frame or 'su' has made an exquisite imprint of finely woven bamboo which can be seen clearly when the paper is held to the light.

The banner is suspended with clear thread from a simple wooden batten which is pasted to the back of the paper with bookbinders paste. The batten can be removed on request if a formal frame is more suitable for you.