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Shortlisted for The Wainwright Prize for Illustrated Books
Shortlisted for the Royal Society of Literature’s Christopher Bland Prize

‘Honest, evocative, inspiring’ SARAH WATERS
‘A thing of beauty’ CLARE BALDING
‘A brilliant storyteller’ MOLLY LEMON

‘I think many of us overlook the beauty of winter, not least the bare and beautiful framework of a winter tree silhouetted against a bright sky…’

Welsh printmaker Richard Shimell is known by many for his intricate, beautiful prints of winter trees. In Trees in Winter, his poignant memoir, Richard explores his life, love of nature and his art, sharing the moving, personal journey that led him from being a lost young man in London, to becoming a professional artist as he entered his fifties, and now living back in rural Wales.

With reflections on how he connects with nature and finds creative inspiration and spiritual healing in the natural world, Richard’s emotional and intimate story gives hope to anyone who has struggled to find their own way and about how much joy can be found in mid-life.

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‘The clarity of Richard Shimell’s words perfectly matches that of his pictures, making this a magnificent book in which to lose yourself, and succumb to the wisdom of the trees’
MIKE PARKER

‘Emotionally resonant and impactful… Shimell’s writing is suffused with a queer sensibility, recognising as it does a world-altering distinction in ways of seeing – between what is and what yet might be’
IRISH TIMES

‘Trees in Winter by Richard Shimell is a wonderful, beautiful book’
ANGELA HARDING

‘Richard is a brilliant storyteller, his writing takes you through memories and moments as if you were there with him. This nostalgic and thoughtful read will make you want to grab a sketchbook head out into the countryside. It reminds you how important it is to observe and absorb the wonders of wildlife and rural landscapes, especially those beautiful trees’
MOLLY LEMON

‘Through the pages of Trees in Winter, Richard shares his prints and takes us on his own personal journey and how his love of walking in wild places and being a part of nature has helped him to deal with life. Richard also explains how these experiences have been instrumental in his becoming the professional printmaker he is today. This book is an absorbing read which spoke to me in many of my own life situations – I thoroughly recommend it!’
JANE SPINK