My paintings reflect on the value and role of common native nature has in enriching our lives. From my perspective, and within the context of climate crisis and biodiversity decline of our times, this often-overlooked nature on our doorsteps is special, with a unique intrinsic worth.

My works have their beginnings in my neighbourhood forest in Turku, where I paint when the weather allows and carry its vegetation back to my indoor studio to work from when it doesn′t. Working outside in these tree-filled spaces is immersive and shapes my working process and use of watercolour paint, including using vegetation to print with.

In my new ′The Language of Lichen′ series I also draw inspiration from background research I do for the works; lichens′ sensitivity to man-made pollution has led to it being a bioindicator of climate change, while its resilience was demonstrated when it was attached to the exterior of the International Space Station, where it survived the extremes and vacuum of space and continued to photosynthesize on returning to earth. This fascinating backstory of lichens sensitivity and resilience is creative food for me, and exemplifies of the value of taking time to appreciate the evolutionary wonderment and worth of the everyday nature around us.

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I was born and raised in North Yorkshire, England, where I grew a love of watercolour painting en plein air. Undoubtedly influenced by my time in the arts and then science departments at university, I have developed ways in my paintings to bring together meticulously observed details with the immersive experience of being out in nature. I have now been working in the same area of forest since I moved to Turku eight years ago, mapping its changes and sameness throughout the seasons.

^{Artwork: Caroline Ward-Raatikainen: The Language of Lichen III, watercolour on paper, 42 x 59 cm, 2024. Photograph by Samu Raatikainen.}