Winter 2025….

Into the shadows - Tir na nOg woodland gallery.

A series of 12 works - Acrylic, inks, pen and some screen prints.

As autumn deepens light softens and the woodland begins to rest. Into the Shadows explores this moment of quiet transformation, the changing quality of light, the falling of leaves and the subtle renewal taking place beneath our feet.

Each piece traces the fleeting beauty found where sunlight meets shadow. The flowing paths and patterns of ink mirror the unseen systems of the forest: threads of mycelium connecting trees and the shifting routes we walk through life. These networks, natural and human, remind us of the strength that lies in connection and care.

Every mark and dot carries meaning, a presence, a home, a community. Together they form constellations of relationship, sometimes radiating outward, sometimes folded inward. The work invites quiet reflection on how we live alongside one another and how we might nurture more open and generous networks.

Created through time spent in Tir na nOg woodland near Balfron Station, this series follows Emily’s earlier body of work Rooted (May 2025). Where Rooted celebrated growth and grounding, Into the Shadows turns toward the cycle of letting go, asking what we will leave behind to feed the seasons ahead.

About the Artist
Emily McLennan is an artist and tutor based in Stirlingshire. She holds a BA (Hons) in Ceramics from Loughborough University and has developed a practice deeply connected to the natural world. Her work draws attention to the delicate balance between people and place, encouraging slower looking, deeper listening and renewed care for the living systems that sustain us.

Emily runs classes and workshops throughout the year.