Keldmarsh Nature reserve plus a song.

Two white butterflies dance in the dappled light, wary of cruising dragon flies.
Here is an impression of a small woodland. It serves as a buffer for the Keldmarsh Nature reserve. Today is very hot again, shortly Arthur Fery will play his semi final at Wimbledon. From this reserve a spring produces crystal clear water which feeds Beverley’s only CHALK STREAM. Developments nearby threaten the stream where, until recently, water voles could be regularly seen. About five years ago I recorded a simply tribute which can be heard here.  It is approx 8 minutes long so make a drink and listen for the sounds of birds, cattle, the Minster bells and George barking. 

Original painting for sale £175, email me if interested. Email.

Beverley Minster from outside the secret garden

 

Beverley Minster

 Quick watercolour sketch made on a hot day, I was passing on my bicycle on my way home and saw this corner view with Highgate in the background. Earlier, I had popped over to the ….shhh….secret garden to find it locked. 

Yorkshire Wolds - View from Huggate looking east.

Originally posted in 2020

The finished picture.

approx outline, subject to refinement.

Blocking in the values.

25th June 2020.

Above Huggate looking East, Yorkshire Wolds.

I decided to go straight back to the field where I saw the plant with the tiny red flowers a couple of days previously, with the intention of photographing them to make identification easier. I did not believe what I saw. The flowers had all gone and had turned to  reddish seedheads on the bare stems. Looking down the stem, near the ground, longish canoe shaped leaves were evident, though not many. Here are a couple of photos.

Beginning to wonder if I saw any flowers at all now.

The plant is Sheeps Sorrel, here is a good link....showing the flowers.

I took George for a walk along the Millington Road, thankfully it had many shaded spots to rest a hot dog, the plant life was awesome. Colonies of bright pink cranesbills, exuberantly covered the hillsides, and even pyramidal orchids could be seen. I was pleased to see two marbled whites feeding on the orhids, they took off as I approached and suddenly the air was filled with more of them.

Enough of this, getting back to the painting.

I set up by parking on a freshly cut grass verge in the shade of a large tree, and thankfully for George, a strong refreshing breeze. Here, I was over 200 metres above sea level and the air was wonderfully clear, the sky, as a couple of days ago was cloudless, As I started to study the scene and begin to outline the painting a farmer from Church Farm began to collect the cut verge grasses, which I had noticed were still greenish and would make good winter feed. Unfortunately he had to stop baling to inspect the baling machine. I went across to have a chat and before long we were both under the baling net trying to de-tangle twine caught up in the rollers. It was important to get the baling done as a storm was forecast which would stop any chance of getting it collected. A call to a service department proved unsuccessful and we continued removing small amounts of twine before I suggested he should return to his farm where he had more tools to strip it down. So off he went, hopefully to get it fixed. The wrapping conveyor belt may have been part of the problem, but as he said, that would have cost £1800, so he was hoping it could cope.

I outlined the painting,

Then blocked it in

Before finessing it,

Finally,

Adding

The touch of my

Dream,

White,

Loudly trumpeting,

Entwining,

Convolvulus.

A Wolds summer

search light.

I had been listening to Max Richter being interviewed and remembered being disappointed to miss the all night radio 3 version of Sleep. So I purchased it, and listened as I painted. It was so compelling the painting took longer to complete than I expected. Passing through Huggate I saw a roadside table, outside Belinda Hazlerigg's studio, I stopped and bought two of her beautiful cards.

Hope you like it.

Oil on canvas.

£175.

Art BOOKS, all first editions
 

All available from me direct, signed if desired.

Email me your address and I will post a copy of any of the above, payment by by BACS..

Briefly prices from top to bottom, including postage and packaging are

£25 Artists Sketchbook

£35 Plein Air Painting, Beverley and the LOW WOLDS

£35 CONCERTINA sketchbook, how to guide with over 100 double page spreads.

£27 Plein Air Painter, how to make a well proven pochade painting box, plus examples of work

Westwood grasses with Black Mill and St. Mary’s

Black Mill with St. Mary’s

 Another original half imperial watercolour from my series in 2002. At the time both poplars could be seen. Sadly only one remains though another tree has been planted nearby. As the summer goes forward grasses become very colourful. Grasshoppers appear  making the Westwood seem a living clock. Walking through the long grasses disturbs the grasshoppers and day flying moths. Golfers can be seen with colourful outfits, often searching for lost balls in the tussocks grass. This original painting is available at £150, email me for details.

Art BOOKS, all first editions
 

All available from me direct, signed if desired.

Email me your address and I will post a copy of any of the above, payment by by BACS..

Briefly prices from top to bottom, including postage and packaging are

£25 Artists Sketchbook

£35 Plein Air Painting, Beverley and the LOW WOLDS

£35 CONCERTINA sketchbook, how to guide with over 100 double page spreads.

£27 Plein Air Painter, how to make a well proven pochade painting box, plus examples of work

Heavenly cottages in the Lake District.

 

Stonethwaite.

I was still, at this time, producing half imperial watercolour paintings. I always worked en plein air  to try  to capture the colours and atmosphere of a place. I recall sitting in a neglected grassy area facing these buildings. The grass was glistening with morning dew. The cottage on the left was undergoing roof repairs involving two tonnes of lead. Close inspection reveals two men working on the ridge. The steep fellside behind the buildings created a kaleidoscope of greens, obliterating the sky. This particular painting, from the late 80s, holds a special place in my heart. Stonethwaite is a charming hamlet nestled off the busy Borrowdale valley road. 

Available £150 incl p+p.

Art BOOKS, all first editions
 

All available from me direct, signed if desired.

Email me your address and I will post a copy of any of the above, payment by by BACS..

Briefly prices from top to bottom, including postage and packaging are

£25 Artists Sketchbook

£35 Plein Air Painting, Beverley and the LOW WOLDS

£35 CONCERTINA sketchbook, how to guide with over 100 double page spreads.

£27 Plein Air Painter, how to make a well proven pochade painting box, plus examples of work.

Kexby House, previously Kexby Farm

 

Click image to see it larger

Many years ago, at a time when David Hockney and I met we talked of plein air watercolours. I, like David, was using half imperial watercolour sheets to paint countryside views. Here is a view of Kexby Farm, from Long Lane, which was converted to Kexby House  from the late 1980s? So this view must predate that time. Bales of silage in black plastic wrapping line up from the farmhouse towards an open sided barn containing bales of straw. I was impressed at the time by the neatness of a typical East Yorkshire farm. The original farmhouse dates back to the 1750s. This painting is therefore a record of how it looked when used as a farm.

Original watercolour now available £120, unframed, email me if interested.

Art BOOKS, all first editions
 

All available from me direct, signed if desired.

Email me your address and I will post a copy of any of the above, payment by by BACS..

Briefly prices from top to bottom, including postage and packaging are

£25 Artists Sketchbook

£35 Plein Air Painting, Beverley and the LOW WOLDS

£35 CONCERTINA sketchbook, how to guide with over 100 double page spreads.

£27 Plein Air Painter, how to make a well proven pochade painting box, plus examples of work.

RSPB Bempton, Puffin spotted.

20 minute very loose watercolour sketch of part of the coastal path at Bempton. Below another view from near the small pond on the path to the overflow car park. I have never seen so many people at the reserve. Had to park in the reserve overflow field. Saw the usual birds but main task was to look for puffins. Though not overflowing with them they are about and can be seen at present.

Just above the razorbill, I saw a pair of puffins. They were too far away to photograph as my zoom lens is limited. Close up below.

Foxgloves in my white border..update

 

EARLY STAGE - IT IS FAR FROM FINISHED

I love gardening. In my modest garden I have what I grandly call my ‘white border’. It has many white flowers. I have let it go a little wild this year allowing ‘nipplewort’ (lapsana communis), which the bees love, to take off. Feverfew is encouraged as are white roses. The effect is calming. This year I noticed a foxglove growing and decided to see how it would grow. On the garden, after putting mealworms down, I looked at the foxglove thinking that a painting ‘impression only’ would both be a memory and also a help with a demonstration I will be giving soon. IT IS FAR FROM FINISHED but I am liking the way it is working. I need to now add some detail. Especially to the foxgloves, in particular to the mottled patterns inside the flowers. On the garden, with the easel set up, sketching out the basic composition, it has been a delight to see bees visiting one flower head after another. I have some white campanula which are just going over and may try and include a suggestion of their sound…(;o).

Below, added more detail and will leave it as it is. Will varnish it to finish.

Click image to and it LARGER 100cm x 80cm acrylic on canvas, available.

All available from me direct, signed if desired.

Email me your address and I will post a copy of any of the above, payment by by BACS..

Briefly prices from top to bottom, including postage and packaging are

£25 Artists Sketchbook

£35 Plein Air Painting, Beverley and the LOW WOLDS

£35 CONCERTINA sketchbook, how to guide with over 100 double page spreads.

£27 Plein Air Painter, how to make a well proven pochade painting box, plus examples of work.

Rogues in my white border!

EARLY STAGE - IT IS FAR FROM FINISHED

I love gardening. In my modest garden I have what I grandly call my ‘white border’. It has many white flowers. I have let it go a little wild this year allowing ‘nipplewort’ (lapsana communis), which the bees love, to take off. Feverfew is encouraged as are white roses. The effect is calming. This year I noticed a foxglove growing and decided to see how it would grow. On the garden, after putting mealworms down, I looked at the foxglove thinking that a painting ‘impression only’ would both be a memory and also a help with a demonstration I will be giving soon. IT IS FAR FROM FINISHED but I am liking the way it is working. I need to now add some detail. Especially to the foxgloves, in particular to the mottled patterns inside the flowers. On the garden, with the easel set up, sketching out the basic composition, it has been a delight to see bees visiting one flower head after another. I have some white campanula which are just going over and may try and include a suggestion of their sound…(;o).

Start building your ART collection?

-

Email me your address and I will post a copy of any of the above, payment by bank transfer.

Briefly prices from top to bottom, including postage and packaging are

£25 Artists Sketchbook

£35 Plein Air Painting, Beverley and the LOW WOLDS

£35 CONCERTINA sketchbook, how to guide with over 100 double page spreads.

£27 Plein Air Painter, how to make a well proven pochade painting box, plus examples of work.

. 

Sketchbook of pen and ink washes of Yorkshire views

Artist's sketchbook featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, by John Geekie.

I have been painting and sketching landscapes for many 

years and have been asked about publishing some of my sketches.

Here is a simple book, printed to represent a sketchbook with over seventy pages of double page spreads. 

It is a high quality book with laminated cover and shrink wrapped  thus ensuring pristine quality.

 I have left my shorthand colour notes on most of the sketches which will be of interest

 to plein air artists, landscape artists in particular. 

It also will interest Wolds Way walkers who will recognize some of the places. 

These sketches are mainly from a concertina sketchbook, the views being four pages wide. 

They have been proportionally reduced to fit the A5 landscape format. Full colour throughout. 

  

Quote from a  friend, who was facing great adversity  “A treasured book which I keep beside my bed” 

£25 incl p+p

Email me your address and I will post a copy

Also, you can see a very short video of the book, see below, 

Short video here. 

Front cover

 

 

 

Front cover showing spine.

  

I am so sad to hear about David.

 David Hockney and I met some years ago when he was working in the Wolds. I remember the meeting very well, we were both at Castle Howard. David eating an ice cream on a hot day. As I was also painting in the Wolds in the open air, we talked about many aspects of seeing, looking, the truth and honesty of a painting. We also talked about photography. I have being dreading the ultimate news and today I want to say how I considered him a friend. When a friend passes we lose a little of ourselves. This view is an iPad sketch of the Thixendale Dale path. David spent some time here with JP. The painting will show the area from January to December as an animation. It will be dedicated to my friend.

Bishop Burton where toads cross short ANIMATION

 

Floral art, peony ( 'Sarah Bernhardt'), a quick study.

Bought a bunch of peony and played around with the idea of a simple exercise, to use just blue yellow and red with a little white, and a big brush. The top used NO blue so I had to resort to using a viridian. The lower painting is the same group after they opened magnificently. Both are really quick sketches as opposed to paintings I would usually do. Also, of course they are ‘still life’. For these I used acrylic paint.

The canvas is large102 x81 cm.

 Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout. It is both a technical guide and an artists collectors work.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a 

concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches.

 It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. 

This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves 

the countryside. 

The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied 

by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made 

directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

Beverley Minster - print

This is a print from a large half imperial watercolour 22 x 15” approx. It was done over several visits and shows the organ with the Quire entrance. The print is available £25 including postage and packaging. If interested send me an email.
 

Norwood House

 I did a lot of pen and ink sketches of Beverley scenes years ago. Here is Norwood House from when it was used as the sixth form block. I remember having Joint Sixth staff meetings there. Thought this may remind some of my old sixth form about when they were there.

Sledmere House walled garden

 

Corner of the Walled garden at Sledmere House

27th May 2026

After visiting Thixendale to add to an iPad painting I drove over to Sledmere House. Recent changes regarding opening times are now in effect. Also, a new car park has opened which leads to the children’s play area and animal enclosure, both of which are now free. Previously, these areas were provided as part of the entrance fee. The BIG improvement however features the newly modified and extended shop area which includes a small coffee shop. This is open 7 days a week. It will be of great interest to cyclists especially. The main house is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. This means that Saturday will be available for weddings. In this time of change sometimes we may feel we are having less choice. I think Sledmere has had a difficult task. They need to be viable to survive and I think the overall changes made are a good balance. Weddings income will hopefully develop and effectively to some extent ‘sponsor’ other provision. I popped in today with the intention of painting in the walled garden. I walked over the road ( maybe a zebra crossing would help here) and made my way to the walled garden. Inside I saw familiar staff working hard as usual with planting and securing plants to wire frames. The wisteria walk is magnificent. The alliums are superbly presented, the sheer mass of them producing an awesome sight. I would strongly recommend a visit. With continual re-planting and dead heading the flower borders provide great interest well into the autumn. For allotment growers the vegetable garden is a must visit place. I found a quiet place near the far red gate at the end of the wisteria walk. Looking over towards the hidden pond I could see the yew arch. I decided this was an interesting aspect and started painting. I am beginning to get a little collection of walled garden views which will hopefully feature in a book of herbaceous borders.

14x10 inch, oil on canvas. Available - email me for details.

Thixendale - a growing painting

 

Traveled towards Thixendale stopping at the footpath opposite the dew pond which leads into Thixendale. I went to add the hawthorn to an iPad painting. It arrives much later than elsewhere locally. The hillside is in the shade until early afternoon and the elevation makes temperatures a little lower. There was just enough hawthorn flower to add to my painting which I intend to continue working on until the end of the year, with the idea of then producing a time lapse painting video. Click image to see it larger.

Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout. It is both a technical guide and an artists collectors work.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches. It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves the countryside. The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

Beverley Minster entrance to Quire

 Well, this was a bit of fun. Popped into the Minster and just got to hear the ending of musical session, the last of the early music long weekend. It was delightful sitting outside listening,. Thought I’d do a quick sketch had no paper, so did this on the back of an A5 pamphlet. Got HOME scanned it, and then added colour. So it’s all a bit experimental. The music was provided by a talented group called RUNE.

South Dalton print direct to your door.

 South Dalton... pretty in print.

Hi everyone, here is a beautiful A3 sized print. It shows the Main Street in South Dalton and was drawn ( without layers ) on an iPad. It is one of a growing set of iPad sketches. Hope you like it. It is available by emailing me. I will post it to you, with an invoice payable by bank transfer. The print has been produced by professional printers on good quality paper.

Plein air landscapes using a Concertina Sketchbook

Exquisite art book, a world first?

This FIRST EDITION book details both how to sketch and add a watercolour wash using a concertina sketchbook. It is comprehensively illustrated throughout. It is both a technical guide and an artists collectors work.

After much researching this may well be the world’s first instruction book which explains how to sketch with a concertina sketchbook. That aside, it shows, in detail, how to create wide, panoramic sketches. It guides the reader through the practical issues, going on to explore and develop ‘how we see’. This SUMPTUOUS book contains over a hundred illustrations in full colour. It will appeal to anyone who loves the countryside. The book has over 400 pages, it is A5 landscape layout with a limited print run. Each painting is accompanied by a detailed description including location and relevant notes. 

As the author and publisher of this book it will be available directly from me from April 6th.

Please  EMAIL if you would like a copy, each book will be signed and include any dedications, if indeed required. 

As my online shop is not open at the moment, payment can be made directly to me or by bank transfer, details will be sent via email. £35 incl UK p+p

Thixendale

 This is a short version of an animation which will cover a year at Thixendale. This short version was started in January and includes some February.

Dandelion memory at Burdale

Quick watercolour sketch. 

Trying to preserve a memory of seeing swathes of dandelion in a field at Burdale. Earlier had been using the iPad at Thixendale where I met lovely people who walked the valley path.

**************

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p

Tulip study

Original watercolour study of tulips. Here I was concentrating on the flower heads which are varied in presentation. The size of the painting is approximately half imperial, 15x22 inches, on heavyweight paper. It represents one of a series of studies of tulips.

£75 incl p+p.

Email me if you would like to own this original art.

**************

My published books Please  EMAIL if you would like to own one Payment via bank transfer

1         Yorkshire Sketchbook  

           Featuring the Yorkshire Wolds, £25 incl p+p

2        Plein Air Painter,

           how to make your own pochade box, full illustrated  guide £27 incl p+p

3        Plein Air Paintings of Beverley and the Low Wolds, 

          sublime book of original paintings with description, all illustrations in full colour, £35 incl p+p

4        Plein Air Landscapes, 

          a complete guide to panoramic sketching with a concertina sketchbook, £35 incl p+p