2020 saw the 102nd anniversary of the end of the First World War. As the nation fell silent on Armistice Day – 11 November – to remember the millions who died in the conflict, I found my thoughts focussing on the poppy, that simple yet beautiful and vivid flower which has become the enduring symbol of remembrance of the war. Amid the death and horror of the fighting poppies were a common sight, especially on the Western Front where they flourished in the soil churned up by the fighting and shelling. I found myself contemplating the stark contradiction between the simple beauty of the poppy and the horror of war and wondering if I could symbolise this in a painting. “Poppies” is the result. The two trees symbolise the opposing sides in the conflict with the poppies slowly spreading peace across the canvas whilst at same time alluding to the blood-soaked war zone. The previously stormy sky is transforming to something more tranquil reflecting and emphasising the red of the flowers. My thanks go to Derek Mack whose Unsplash photograph I used as the reference for “Poppies”.