Welcome to Anna Dillon's Online Gallery
Virbrant & bold landscapes
"In 2009 I ditched my job as a graphic designer and made the decision to paint for a living. It was the best thing I have ever done and my passion for our landscapes gets deeper each year as I learn."
THE SPRINGLINE PROJECT
Bringing wildlife, art, and citizen science to our community!
The Springline Project welcomes people from Cholsey, The Astons, and the surrounding areas to connect with local wildlife. Led by expert ecologists, our events throughout 2025 will provide opportunities to explore and learn about nature. Participants will also gain hands-on experience in surveying wildlife using citizen science methods, helping to contribute valuable data throughout the project.
In addition, two artists will create lasting artwork inspired by the project, leaving a meaningful legacy for the community. The final artwork, along with the findings gathered over the year, will be unveiled at a special event in late 2025, where everyone is warmly invited to celebrate with us. No matter your age, knowledge, or experience, there's something for everyone in this unique project that brings creativity and science together.
THE ARTWORK
This is the first time Becky (Rebecca Carrozza) and and myself have worked on a public artwork. The artwork, which will comprise of ten large panels that will hang together as a continuous landscape mural, will be on permanent display at Cholsey Pavilion.
In 2024, we walked the 'Springline route' through the seasons, sketching and painting outside, taking photos and making observations. Since then, we have used a large wall in my studio to layout our photos, post it notes and sketches which have enabled us to identify the important features of the mural such as nature sightings, chalk streams and winter-brooks, interesting buildings with historical context and seasonal changes. One of the first challenges was to plan how we could work together on the same piece of artwork. We have different styles, which compliment each other, and it was important to establish and agree a creative process from the beginning, along with a timetable. We have researched other artists works as sources of inspiration and have used our sketchpads as reference which we will share with the public at the various Springline Events throughout the year. One of the special elements of this project will be the relationship between the scientific and creative minds. Both of us will be working with the scientists as they gather data in the landscapes and during the Springline events. The mural will incorporate the data and findings in a visual medium which will act as a 2025 'baseline' for the communities of the Astons and Cholsey to use as part of the learning and engagement segment of this project. Keep up to date with news and events here: https://cholseyparishcouncil.gov.uk/the-springline-project
If people would like to see the creative progress from us, we have set up an Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/thespringlineproject
The Springline Project has been supported by the Mend the Gap programme. The vision of the Mend the Gap programme is that the outstanding national landscape that links the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs will be enhanced and enriched for wildlife, residents, and visitors, helping to heal and soften the scars left by electrification of the Great Western main line.
DOWNLAND
Our book celebrates the landscape of the Berkshire Downs as seen through the eyes of myself & the poet Jonathan Davidson which was published by Two Rivers Press in May 2024. Thank you to everyone who has supported the publication of our book or joined us last year on our Downland walks and talks. I have copies of the book available for sale at my studio. You can get in touch with me on dillon.anna@gmail.com.
