Bishop Burton where I remember ‘Ces.

October 26th. We are recovering from storm Austen which was followed almost immediately by Boelo. After posting a book I detoured to Bishop Burton where I saw huge branches littering the roadsides. They were snapped off in the storms and having been removed from the roads were waiting to be removed. Phew, it has been windy and now it is raining. I saw this view of the church tower, standing squat and defiant. All Saints Church, dates back to the 1200s. As well as being a ‘Friend’ of the Church an interesting link connects me. I taught at Beverley Grammar School , both the School and the original Bishop Burton Church were founded St. John of Beverley  ( BGS founded in in AD700) a memorial stone marks St.John’s burial place in Beverley Minster (also founded by St.John). The autumn colours, which are starting to show well made the view even more interesting. The picturesque railings mark the boundary of the main village pond and the York Road ( the A1079). I remember some years ago,  icy conditions contributed to a car crashing through the barriers into the shallow pond, no one was seriously injured thankfully. Bishop Burton is a jewel of a village. The local public house, The Altisidora still operates, serving food as well as liquid refreshments, a fitting place for retired educationalists to meet. I am reminded of my old friend ‘Ces who, living here, was a regular patron. I miss seeing him, enjoying a yarn and, above all his cheerful, optimistic nature. I have tried to simplify the view, using a ‘Sharpie’ pen to get the essence of the place before adding colour.

12 x 10 inch acrylic on canvas board.

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‘Sharpie’ sketch

Ground added

Ground details.

painted.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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Cattle stop and stare at Moorfield Barn

Still ahead of storm Austen.. rain expected soon so I was pleased to get this sketch done..

I love this simple scene at Moorhill Shed

Travelling home often takes me past this barn. Today, I stopped and wandered over to a farm gate. Beyond were cattle, heads down feeding from recently filled troughs. They stood with their backs facing me. I noticed that among the full grown cows, young calves could be seen. I always am cautious in these situations, careful not to appear a threat, remembering how protective mothers can be. As I looked they sensed me and one or two separated, turning to look at me. The bulk of the herd, continued feeding. In the centre of the field I saw the remains of some hay? It appeared paler than the grass, contrasting with the bright green. The farmer must have spread this for the cattle to feed on. A cow moves towards me. I remain still, making gentle ‘cooing’ noises. I do not want to spook it. It pauses, looks at me and wonders why I am ‘cooing’. Deciding I am no threat it continues across, I remain still, then it stops and drinks from a water trough. The farmer had been busy here. Fresh tracks suggested a recent visit. In warmer summer months I have walked a nearby public footpath passing Moorfield Farm to reach Bealey’s Lane. I remember a sheepdog barking at me as I was passing. The farm is well kept. Fields and hedges well maintained, even the roadside verge either side of the farm entrance, is cut making it a pleasant place to stop and sketch from. This barn, with its bales of straw stands on a slight rise. Approaching up a slight incline, the sun behind gives it a silhouette is reminiscent of a medieval castle. It’s simple construction fulfils an essential job, to keep the straw dry. It will be used for bedding when the cattle need to be brought in as winter grips the land. Just out of view is a cattle shed, alongside it a stack of green plastic wrapped bales, I guess full of hay to feed the over wintering cattle.

12x 10 inch acrylic on canvas board.

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Sketch partly painted.

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The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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Beverley Library

 Some time ago I dropped off a couple of copies of this book for Beverley residents to enjoy. 

Bar code road to Lockington

Still keeping in front of storm Austen.. 

Love this stretch of road. It leads to Lockington, Lund and eventually to Bracken. It amuses me to see the distant shadows on the road. It has been  pointed out that they make the road looks like a bar code. The colours are becoming autumnal making this ordinary, typical country road look attractive as fallen leaves gild the verges. Pale, dry mud coloured tracks speak of recent field work. The painting is from a ‘Sharpie’ sketch. The small building is part of a farm complex ( Lockington Grange) which is hidden from view. The visible building gives the ‘reader’ a clue that there are more buildings in this otherwise empty landscape. The land, though basically flat and good for arable farming, does, in fact have slight inclines. It is important that field ditches are kept maintained to prevent flooding. A task traditionally done in winter in the days when farms employed more people. ‘Ditching’ would have been one of the mens main tasks to ensure the following season was problem free. Since mechanisation this is a thing of the past. Some would say that keeping these drainage ditches free has suffered as it is now usually contracted out, thus another cost. It must be tempting for farm agents to ask themselves if it needs doing so often. But that is another story. Here, the road is straight, on the left a plantation is maintained for timber and game. In the spring the woodland floor is covered with bluebells. 

In memory of Arthur Fenton, an Army Service Corps driver who died in 1915 at age 20, a resident of Lockington Grange. He is buried in St. Mary’s churchyard at nearby South Dalton. 

12 x10 inch acrylic on canvas board.

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The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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All roads lead to….

 Fir Tree Cottage.

I am trying to explore before Storm Austen arrives. A quick sorte into the countryside near South Dalton looking for simple views found me here. I parked at the side of the road and watched a group of three horse riders. They were in the middle of the quiet road, walking gently and obviously chatting. The riders wore a variety of safety bibs and hats. They almost disappeared as the road dips, emerging, they headed for the cottage. Here, they turned right along Park Road, as I had suspected. I had recognised the group realising they would be heading for the stables at Dalton Park. These quiet roads suit horse riders and men driving vintage cars. Both groups travelling at different speeds, appreciate the ability to ‘be in nature’. As I sketched, pheasants and partridge would cross the road. Often here, I see red kite and buzzards. Today, as I ambled along I thought I saw a group of redwing tumbling over a hedge. The colours are developing their autumnal dress making this a special time. In my haste to addd colour I missed out an insurance stage, to add a transparent acrylic ground. This may result in possible ‘bleeding’ from the ‘Sharpie’ pen. However, I have not experienced this yet. Some of my early ‘Sharpie’ sketches seem okay so fingers crossed.

12 x10 inch acrylic on canvas board.

Late October sketch

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Outline using a ‘Sharpie’ pen

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The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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Spring promise, a cultivated field near Etton using a ‘Sharpie’

After updating my Thixendale iPad sketch I headed for home via Holme on the Wolds and South Dalton. I stopped at this field, near Etton. The distant spire of St. Mary’s over in South Dalton provides a minor point of reference. However my interest was sparked when I saw an almost luminescent pale green strip. It was a sunlit embryonic crop made more dynamic as the dark woodland behind it provided deep contrast. My gaze fell on the field nearest me. It was essentially the colour of dark soil, yet drilled lines of feint green were emerging. The green lines being parallel with each other to the degree that the slightest deviation from a straight line was amplified by all those adjacent. The setting up of the drill must have been well done. I always like to see the emerging crops. They are getting a foothold before the short days and cold nights. It could be that the crop is spring barley or wheat, I cannot tell. If I see a farmer I will enquire. I used a ‘Sharpie’ pen and worked quickly and loosely. Then at home, I added a Michael Harding transparent ground, in this case burnt umber. This would seal the ‘Sharpie’ ink which can be aggressive, eventually emerging through oil or acrylic paint. When Dry I used Winsor and Newton professional acrylics to add colour. Colour is added simply using the ‘Sharpie’ lines as guides. I added colour on the same day thus assuring I remembered them correctly. I could have added notes to the reverse of the board, as I have done previously, however in this case I trusted my memory. 

Painting was done on 12 x10 inch canvas board.

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‘Sharpie’ sketch

Ground added

      __________________________________________________________________________________

The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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Holme on the Wolds speed sketching using a ‘Sharpie’

The Main Street through Holme on the Wolds is quiet. Evidence of possible thatched cottages, very steep roofs, are intriguing. The village, or really perhaps I should say Hamlet is very small. The old church of St. Peter’s has long since gone and is, in part now adopted by nearby St. Mary’s. My friend G lives at the other end of HOTW and I see him MGing his way along these quiet streets from time to time. The only traffic I saw today was a school ‘bus which delivered a young man. In its heyday HOTW was agricultural. Indeed although farming still is evident with a couple of farms remaining there are also many redundant buildings. I talked to a farmer a couple of years ago who asked me to guess how many men he employed to look after a few hundred acres. I pondered and replied five of six. He smiled and said he did everything. This reminded me of how farmers often find themselves working all day with no one to speak to. It is a serious issue. The village is largely owned by the Hotham estate which uses its own staff to maintain the houses here. Yet even the estate are always looking for ways to make it more viable. Weddings have been added to their portfolio to join traditional country pursuits.  Like many villages hereabouts heating and cooking rely on oil fuelled boilers. At the present time this is a concern for residents who face huge increases in the price of fuel, especially as winter is approaching fast. 

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Very basic sketch of the street

With ground added M-H burnt sienna transparent.

 

      __________________________________________________________________________________

The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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Thixendale in October… a continuing iPad sketch

Continuing my iPad sketching, this view is from October 21st. The day was cool and sunny, I had a narrow window in which to work before the predicted rain arrived at 1.30. As I looked at the view, I became aware of four horses behind me. I stopped and looked at them. They were walking towards me. They had been relocated to an adjacent field which was a little surprise as they normally resided in the field which housed the dew pond. (I was pleased to see the pond contained water, previously it had dried up due to the hot weather and lack of rain over summer.) The horses stopped to have a drink, one recognised me and came over to say hello. The horses were all wearing coats, the temperatures are dropping now. I sketched on, all was quiet no sign of C or G. I was pleased to see group of walkers approaching, along the road from Thixendale village. They waved and then turned off along the path leading to Thixendale Dale. They paused briefly to put waterproofs on as it began to drizzle and I offered something for the group could share. The fellside grasses were paler and the hawthorn bushes were looking less dense due to loosing leaves. Distant trees were also beginning to show signs of autumn colour. The year is marching on. Still recovering from Covid, this visit marked a major moment in getting back to normal, though with caution telling me to take things slowly and steadily.

      __________________________________________________________________________________

The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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2026 Ferens Art Gallery 1st prize!

 I am so pleased, super excited and ecstatic to share this news,  having been awarded first prize. Hoping to visit soon to collect my award.

Here is the garden in June, but you need to see it at the Ferens where you can listen and watch at the same time. 

Click the image for a surprise….. best wishes to everyone.

      __________________________________________________________________________________

The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

​

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation, poetry and serendipitous meetings. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Here is a short glimpse of the High Wolds book.

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St. Mary’s Church, south aisle ‘Sharpie’ sketch.

Traveling home from Thixendale, a detour found me at South Dalton. I had a thought to try another ‘Sharpie’ Pen exercise and stopped at St. Mary’s Church. Using a 12 x 10 inch canvas board which I had primed with Michael Harding raw umber transparent acrylic ground, I started to look for a view to sketch. The proportions of the board meant that the large east and west windows would not have worked. I needed a more modest subject. Then I saw the sun lighting up the south aisle window. This was a good subject for the board proportions, the window, perspective and lectern supported on an elaborate brass stand would be the main elements. Using the ‘Sharpie’ pen is  excellent  for recording the main elements and proportions, it also helps on develop a sharper way, perhaps a ‘Sharpie’ way of looking. You are discouraged from trying to record any fine detail. I sketched, methodically, the main window, followed by the enveloping arch, then the pews. I left some of these pews detail vague as my main focus was the window, lectern and also the perspective. I made mental notes regarding the colour and shade adding these later at home. The floor is tiled with an elaborate repeating pattern which I only suggest here. Looking at the sketch I can see areas which I would otherwise have detailed much more, yet, as it is it has a value, a charm of it’s own. I also like the notion that this view is one which is often overlooked.

!2 x10 acrylic on canvas board.

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      __________________________________________________________________________________

The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.
Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation and notes. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

If you would like a book, please complete.

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2027 John Geekie calendar

The calendar is A4 format opening to A3 when opened up. Email me if you would like a copy. £12 including p+p via bank transfer - details by return email.

Video link here showing the format and paintings

If you would like a 2027 calendar, please complete.

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​BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation and notes. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

If you would like a book, please complete.

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Now then Flower…

…. as my late father was wont to say. Here are some quick studies made on 7x5 inch canvas board. The weather outside is now bright after a shower, it is October and I am recovering from Covid. Producing these simple observational studies has been a perfect distraction. Click the image above to see a short video on which I add a talk over. 

Essential points are

1    Michael Harding raw umber transparent ground

2    7x5 inch canvas boards

3    Winsor and Newton professional acrylic paint

_________________________________________

BOOKS

Below are art books, Except for the sketchbook, which is intended as a simply that, the rest are an immersive, literary and artistic experience. They are much more than simple art books, they are informative, in part a diary, a record of the countryside through observation and notes. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

If you would like a book, please complete.

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Your Name:

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