2027 Calendar preview February.

 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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Video link here showing the format and paintings

Below are art books, also for sale. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

 

Late sunflowers 2

Late sunflowers, hanging on, still standing in October.

Late sunflowers.

 Sketching on a black background is quite freeing. The background on this particular picture was quite dark in any case so it sort of works. This is only a very quick iPad sketch made while I am recovering from Covid. I hope it simply amuses you and perhaps encourages some of you to paint on a black background. Of course this can be a bit confusing, but using acrylics, gouache or oils would get round that. And of course, pastel artists use black backgrounds all the time. Anyway, it is just a little diversion.

Thixendale Dale path.

 No sign of G + C today as I had driven over to update my ‘Thixendale Dale path - over a year’. Hopefully, it will be an animation reflecting the seasons and events. 

Below are art books, also for sale. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

2027 calendar preview January

As requested, and probably my last year of producing a calendar, here is my 2027 calendar. It is designed to hang on a wall from a punched hole ( can just be seen below my name). 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

Below are art books, also for sale. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

 

2027 John Geekie Calendar

As requested, and probably my last year of producing a calendar, here is my 2027 calendar. It is designed to hang on a wall from a punched hole ( can just be seen below my name). 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

Below are art books, also for sale. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Beverley Minster lost view.

In 2012 I made several half imperial ( 15x22 inch) watercolour sketches. It was an attempt to record scenes which were to change as housing developments materialised. This is a view from the ancient Willow Lane to the south of Beverley. At the time Willow Lane ran, unchanged from to Long Lane. Before Voase Way bisected it. At this time David was still keeping his cattle and horses, later only Milo. Now the cattle shed is slowly being left to decay. Though the field remains where the cattle and horses were  kept it is under constant pressure to be redeveloped. Personally, I have a naive  dream that it could become a wildlife refuge, thus linking with nearby Keldmarsh Nature Reserve. Perhaps a mix of development could still provide a corridor alongside the chalk stream flowing from the reserve. This view is from near the Long Lane end of Willow Lane. I am looking across scrubland, now developed, towards the Minster. The large tree was felled when WOODMANSEY MILE was extended to cross Long Lane and Mill Dam stream. So though a modest subject it has a lot of meaning, especially for Willow Lane walkers and also, as a sense of history, for people living in the new housing developments.

Available for sale £75 including p+p

Below are art books, also for sale. Each is fabulously produced in hard back. More details on my blog.

Loaningdale T junction….with a ‘Sharpie’

 Actually, this is the third painting of the day. I sketched using a sharpie pen and then add it acrylic colour all at the site. I used a 12 x 10 canvas board on which I had a Michael Harding ground, Pozzuoli red. I have painted this collection of trees several times, usually in oil and usually 12 or 14 x 10“. I did do a double large canvas sometime ago using a French easel. I think the canvases were about 3‘ x 2‘ but anyway the exercise today was to go to THIXENDale. I want you to update my iPad drawing of Thixendale. It has been an about three weeks, give-and-take since I was there. With the iPad sketch more or less finished I headed to Burdale, and did a painting near Raisthorpe. Then I drove to Burdale ( painting below) and did a sketch of the distant stable. On the way home, I did this one ( above). It is an interesting exercise to use a ‘Sharpie’ pen to sketch out these views, the thickness of the felt tip making detailing tricky which I think is a good thing. It makes one concentrate on the essentials. Then I added acrylic colour with a number 8 flat hog. It’s a nice way to get something done very quickly.

Here is the picture of Burdale the ash tree on the roadside on the right hand side looks well. It casts a long shadow across the field. A smaller ash tree hidden by the big one produces another shadow, telling me it is there. In the distance, the stable can be seen where in the past Nettie was stabled.

Click image to see a short video. Your chance to have your own copy

Steep climb at Raisthorpe, near Burdale

This is one of three quickly painted scenes on canvas boards. I had prepared all of the boards with Michael Harding Pozzuoli transparent acrylic ground. Then I used a ‘Sharpie’ pen and sketched a necessarily simplistic drawing. I added acrylic paint, at the venue, using a largish number 8 flat hog. I wanted the paintings to be freer than my usual detailed work. I saw a trailer park and drop off some people who turned out to be beaters. All but one climbed the steep hillside before spacing out in a line. Birds were driven towards the road where a man stood with a cerise flag. As the birds dropped down the hillside he waved his flag forcing the birds to fly higher over the road. Then I heard the guns responding. On the road a group of phlegmatic grouse searched for food.

Click image to see a short video. Your chance to have your own copy

Kirkham Abbey, It’s a ruin.

September 19th, third sketch of the day. I descended the narrow, steep road to Kirkham and was surprised to find the rail crossing barriers down. A modern, swish train was on its way to Scarborough. It may have been a trans-Pennine from Lime Street, Liverpool.  Stopping at Kirkham Priory after visiting  Castle Howard I parked near the Priory. My attention was grabbed by seeing people jumping from the bridge over the deep River Derwent. Not far away from here, up river is the fascinating hydroelectric Archimedes screw project run by the Howsham Mill renewable Heritage Trust. I had visited some time ago with a dear friend, now deceased, who introduced me to M and his wife. M was one of several people who drove the project forward, overcoming many problems.  The young men jumping into the river carried on. It is a significant leap and I worried about submerged hazards. Looking at this old ruined  entrance ( no charge to wander on this day) I decided to try and sketch it. I noted the shallow puddles which reflected the facade. As I was working a family group stopped and we chatted briefly. So, if you see this it was lovely meeting you all. The late September day proved exceptionally warm and as I sketched I could see cattle roaming the ‘greened’ up pasture adjacent to the river. They looked well conditioned as they walked by the ruined Priory. They were prevented from entering the Priory by a ha-ha. Though this sketch shows what remains of the entrance, the ruins inside the grounds are rather extensive and well worth a visit.The site is under the custodianship of English Heritage who charge for entry, though as I have said, it was free to roam today. As I was leaving I remembered P and her father with whom I had chatted earlier about art. I stopped a group who were entering and asked if they would pass on a book for P. They happily agreed and it was confirmed later that the delivery was indeed successful.

Pausing, 

Looking down

At the water,

Bare chested, 

Standing on a thin stone lip,

Holding the parapet behind,

He looks down.

The young man waits,

Considering,

Speculating.

Then with a small push,

He is airborne,

Gravity and fate combine

To create an explosive splash.

He disappears 

In a mist of bubbles 

Time is stretched,

Where is he?

Is he safe?

A head pops up, to the sound of

Cheers from peers,

 He swims to the shore.

Books available

Art books featuring the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High) full of paintings done at various venues. Video here of the HIGH WOLDS book.  Other books feature panoramic sketching using a concertina sketchbook, a Yorkshire sketchbook and how to paint plein air and make your own painting box

Nunnington Hall, Ryedale.

September 19th, second 12 x 10 ‘Sharpie’ sketch of the day, was made possible by sitting in a deckchair on the lawn. This was challenging, where should I start and would it fit in? I looked hard at the symmetry and was concerned that the right hand gable looked narrower than the left. But it appeared as shown, maybe it was some kind of perspective distortion? This image appears a little pink, the original is fine. Again, detail is limited to the essential information. The ‘Sharpie’ pen is not designed for detailing especially on smallish canvases. It was lovely to see people enjoying the bright sunny weather, wandering through the garden, bringing it to life. It had rained earlier so the change was very welcome. To my left up a slight incline is an apple orchard. Signs telling people not to pick them from the trees also stated that, fallen apples could be taken away. I popped into the cafe on the ground floor and had a …’vegetarian cream scone’ it was delicious. I like to visit  Nunnington Hall if I am in the area. The car park is wonderfully shaded. It makes me remember George who died 17th April, I find I am missing him more and more. He was my last Briard, having had them for 50 years. He and my previous dogs loved walking the grounds, exploring, sniffing and taking in all the sights. We would cross the river which bounders the car park. Originally a flat wooden bridge, now it is superseded by a modern arching bridge, a composite structure of metal and wood. When crossing I pause and stare down looking for fish. Sometimes, if the water isn’t coloured I see some trout.

Acrylic on canvas board.

Books available

Art books featuring the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High) full of paintings done at various venues. Video here of the HIGH WOLDS book.  Other books feature panoramic sketching using a concertina sketchbook, a Yorkshire sketchbook and how to paint plein air and make your own painting box

Poplars Near St. Gregory’s Minster.

 After visiting Mathewson’s, to look at classic cars I headed west towards Helmsley. The sign to Kirkdale is small and easily missed. I remembered visiting St. Gregory’s Minster, an ole Saxon church dating back to 1060. That, though is for another time. Today I again took the road to Kirkdale remembering a view of some poplars. Just before a bridge, a field gateway allowed me to pull off the road where I could see this view. I had a canvas board and a ‘Sharpie’ pen. I wanted to capture the scene. It is, in a way reminiscent of  a painting by Monet of the Petit Bras of the Seine at Argenteuil, inasmuch as the dominant feature is the trees. Here a field which had been full of wheat in the summer, stood harvested and being prepared for another crop. The interesting patterns of field preparation creates lines that criss cross. Tractor tyre marks turn and head for the gateway in which I stand. The land is not flat, it rolls down and up to the trees. The sky is grey. As I stood making this sketch the wind was strongly gusting making me remember a previous visit with a pochade box. On that occasion the wind ‘stopped play’. Today, holding the canvas board, I could cope with the malicious cyphers. This is another sketch painting using a ‘Sharpie’ on a 12 x 10 inch board. At the moment I am enjoying the freedom of making these quick sketches, as the pen prevents one from adding too much detail. The essential elements of the composition focus one’s mind in a refreshing way.

Books available

Art books featuring the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High) full of paintings done at various venues. Video here of the HIGH WOLDS book.  Other books feature panoramic sketching using a concertina sketchbook, a Yorkshire sketchbook and how to paint plein air and make your own painting box

Angels sing at Beverley Minster

Friday 18th September, popped into Beverley Minster with a couple of canvas boards and a Sharpie pen. Walking to the east end passing through Lady Chapel I stopped at St. Katherine’s Chapel, a place of quiet reflection. Earlier when I arrived I was pleased to see an old friend and we spoke for a few minutes. Here in the Chapel a circle of chairs invited reflection. I sat near the resting place of Benjamin Lambert (d1772) , looking up I saw a complicated tracery of lines created by columns, arches, vaulting and monumental structures. Sitting on a chair I briefly pondered the situation, could I draw it? Where to start? What to include? I considered it as an exercise and it would be a good challenge. So I started. I began by sketching the two far windows. These would then scale the rest of the elements. The sketch is just that, it is not meant to be a ‘complete’ picture. It is meant to invite the eye to ‘look’ more at our surroundings. Of course the history, skill of the builders is fascinating and humbling and being here, inside the building we become part of that history. On the way here I stopped at an art exhibition in the south aisle by two artists which impressed me. Then I stopped at some plaques dedicated to people from the East Riding who had died in far away places,  Egypt, South Africa, Barbados, South Afghanistan and more. I read all the names.  Perhaps this had made me reflect, prompting this sketch. As I was close to finishing, angelic sounds permeated the building. A choir was singing in the main part of the church. I stopped and wandered back to the Nave. A large crowd were seated. The smell of soup wafted around me, then I remembered. It was a lunchtime concert. I walked over to the war memorial plaques and sat on a stone ledge. From here I could see singers arrive and begin to perform. They were Opera 17. Very accomplished and I decided to make a very quick sketch to capture the moment. 

Here is my sketch with colour added.

This is my very quick sketch of Opera 17 performing their lunchtime concert.

 

Check out this ART book

 

Click image to see a short video.

Beswick Hall

Click image to see it grow from start to finish.

Books available

Art books featuring the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High) full of paintings done at various venues. Video here of the HIGH WOLDS book.  Other books feature panoramic sketching using a concertina sketchbook, a Yorkshire sketchbook and how to paint plein air and make your own painting box.

 

Stack of straw bales, twixt Beswick and Lockington

 Can’t resist the unassuming, unpretentious, modest stack of bales. This is smaller than usual for me. I have a few paintings of larger stacks. The mechanisation associated with collecting, building stacks and storing in sheds is rather fascinating. Lots of factors are involved. S, this is for my farmer friends, Hestons 1.2 square x 2.4 long.

Books available

Art books featuring the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High) full of paintings done at various venues. Video here of the HIGH WOLDS book.  Other books feature panoramic sketching using a concertina sketchbook, a Yorkshire sketchbook and how to paint plein air and make your own painting box.

Beswick cottage and church.

On my way back from Burton Agnes Hall ( third trip to paint the final panel of a triptych)  I diverted to Beswick. Some time ago I visited and sketched Beswick Hall on an iPad which is opposite the church. Short animation here. Emerging from the old Blacksmiths workshop, now a converted home, a shaft of sunlight light lit the far end of the street. I took a stroll along the Main Street, now bypassed, fallen apples spilled onto the road remaining unsquashed.. A woman walked along the empty road pushing a wheelchair. The occupant enjoying the fresh air and talking to his .. wife? They turned around at the church and walked back towards Laurel House Farm. I wanted to try a quick sketch, the idea being to use a Sharpie pen. This resulted in a simple sketch on a canvas board previously treated with an acrylic ground. Back home I applied another acrylic transparent ground. This would be insurance against the Sharpie’s aggressive ink creeping into the painting. Next I added acrylic colour. To help me remember the colours I added copious notes to the reverse of the board before setting off for home. 

Some of my art books for you to consider are shown below.

Art books featuring the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High) full of paintings done at various venues. Video here of the HIGH WOLDS book.  Other books feature panoramic sketching using a concertina sketchbook, a Yorkshire sketchbook and how to paint plein air and make your own painting box.

Sea dogs at Filey

Traveled to Filey on the spur of the moment. After walking past Eller Howe Haven a quick look at the beach reminded us that high tide was only just beginning to ebb. Some stalwart people with a huge Alsatian were determined to cling to a narrow spit of beach.  Abandoning any idea of exploring the beach, we decided to walk up the nearby valley leading to Glen Gardens. Interestingly, at this time, in early September, trees and plants having long gone to seed are preparing for winter. A sudden rustling noise amongst the fallen dry leaves, turns out to be a squirrel searching for food. When it sees us it jumps on to a tree, spreading its legs, it remains horizontal on the lower trunk frozen,  a foot above the ground. Then a ray of optimism, a little surprise, a bright pink cluster of cyclamen light up the drab sloping hillside. The sound of a gentle tinkling stream, on our left, amplifies the serenity of this short diversion. At the top we reach Glen Gardens and, though people are still about, the ‘bucket and spoon’ shop is shuttered, the children’s go-carts, 20p a slot, are gone. On the boating pond, boats are gathered in, moored in a group waiting to be removed and stored. How quickly the season changes, children are back to school and the facilities here are not now in demand. A walk to the hidden cafe near the bandstand rewards us with a scone and tea. Sitting inside, looking at the curving, multi-panelled windows, the lower portion of which dressed with a tucked curtain, the clean tables, lack of muzak, a general ambience of homeliness made it  a reassuring place to be. I begin to fantasise that Miss Marple may walk in, or perhaps Captain Mainwaring. We realise that they needed to close soon, we leave, with some damsons. Walking on, down a steep path  we wave to an elderly gentleman sitting outside his house. It is situated at the top of the steep hill, it has a delightfully kept small garden. He sits in a small  patio area, in his small, rather precarious, terraced garden. The downward path snakes over worn steps to the beach road where we decide to head towards the Nab. Passing Ravine Road, walking by the amusements, coffee shops, grounded fishing boats, their rusty Leyland and BMC tractors seemingly abandoned, we reach the beach. The tide is ebbing, revealing wet sand. We walk on, over sea cleaned sand. Passing large remnants of flotsam we reach the Sailing Club where we sit on a concrete slipway. I get out my sketchbook, quickly draw out the view, sailing club, cliffs and nab (Brigg). Adding colour, I spot people exercising their dogs, quickly I add them. There were two couples, each had a dog. One couple moved off before I could could sketch them, but I managed to include their dog ( the golden one in the picture ). FSD was on a mission to paint rocks /stones. I left my sketchbook propped up, and walked over to find her painting, intensely observing several small rocks of different colours. Later she applied a ‘Jackson Pollock’ technique, interesting and …. er colourful.

Email me for details.

Above Kilham on Woldgate Road, looking north.

 The view reflects the late summer, early autumn time. Crops have long since been harvested and mountains of straw bales can still be seen waiting to be stored. I love the field linearity on this view. In the foreground, alongside the road, the verges are full of wild plants. Umbel seed heads rise above the vegetation and jump into the painting. This was done very quickly on a 14x 10 inch canvas board. I had said that I would try and get to the Hutton Cranswick Art group to see everyone as they were celebrating someone’s special birthday. The offer of cake and tea prompted a quick finish and I arrived at the group at about 2.30pm. Balloons were pinned up and cake was indeed provided with a ‘nice cup of tea’. I chatted to members about this and that and stayed until everyone left. It is a friendly mutually supportive group who are fundamentally optimistic about their art. A good group to consider joining. This view is one David Hockney would have known well. He probably has painted it. I will return soon and repeat the painting. Perhaps to include Tuft Hill Farm which is slightly to the right of this view.

Available, email for details.

Books for sale from £20, email me if you would like one.

Burton Agnes Hall.

 I had gone to deliver a painting, a gift for S then diverted on my way back to explore. I drove to the coast at Ulrome to consider a beach painting. The tide was out, the sun shone through thin fluffy clouds and I could see Flamborough cliffs, a chalky white stripe piercing the sea. The beach was wet as the tide ebbed creating wonderful reflected shapes. I saw a group of people, one with what looked like a metal tube - they interrogated the tide line by thrusting the tube into the sand. I surmised they were trying to catch bait for fishing. The coast path is precarious, volatile with a brooding unpredictability. Though the muddy cliffs are modest in height they still need treating with extreme caution. I was not happy and set off, away from the coast. I passed through Lissett, where I saw Peter’s war memorial and remembering the dedication ceremony when I met Archbishop Sentamu. Through Gransmoor I found myself passing Kelk. Then a sign to Burton Agnes reminded me of the Hall. Though middle afternoon I visited (£18.50) and had a cup of much needed tea and a slice of cake. I thought of visiting the resident artist, though upon enquiring I discover, that since Covid,  they had not had one at the Hall. I set up new a large yew tree, just outside the walled garden. It was late to start painting but I thought I would try a section of the Hall. The painting above is really a sketch as I was ‘collected’ by staff who were closing the Hall before I could finish. Time marches on quickly when I paint, I am so absorbed I don’t check the time and was surprised to see it was well after 5pm. I will leave this painting as it is and may revisit to try again. From this location a large yew branch falls over the picture from the top right corner. I did not have time to put it in and will now leave it out.

Email for details.

Bare tree near Westwood Road.

This is a very old pen and ink sketch with watercolour wash added. It shows a chestnut tree in April, at this time devoid of leaves. Behind the tree on the right, is an old gate house. The big houses  on the left have a wonderful view over the Westwood were lots of walkers exercise their dogs and in late April early May, cattle appear.

Art books for sale from £20. All first editions, two feature the Yorkshire Wolds ( Low and High), another is a special book of concertina sketches with notes about how I produced these. There is also a simple sketchbook of double page spreads featuring local landscapes. And lastly, a book for those of you wanting to make your own painting box (pochade box). If interested please email me for details.

Towards Southburn from Burnbutts Lane.

Finished painting 14x10 inch oil on canvas

Cloud detail

Detail

Detail

Travelled to this place again, recently wild angry skies dominated. Today we have a short break in the weather, a storm is coming. I decided to paint the same view that I had done a couple of days earlier.  Standing at the tripod mounted paintbox (pochade box) evidence of recent fieldwork, spreading manure, meant both flies and a strong odour combined to make a challenging though memorable experience. As I painted, FSD with L, walked towards Burn Butts Farm, the conditions proving too much for FSD to paint. I carried on, finding myself thinking about the trials and tribulations plein air painters have to endure. Though this is a quiet, narrow road I was surprised to see quite a few cars drive past. Some were small saloons but most were larger and associated with farming ( various Land Rover models).

14x10 inch oil on canvas, price on application.

Books written by me featuring how to paint plein air. They contain many landscape views which will be of interest to Wolds walkers. Details from me, please email me for more information.

Beverley Minster from the Westwood pasture.

This is a plein air painting I produced in 2022. So a while ago. I am having to think of letting paintings go as, like many artists I am running out of space to store them. This is a large painting on a box canvas frame. 76x55cm approx. (30x21.5 inch). I am open to reasonable offers for this original painting, so, if interested please email me. It can be seen by contacting me to arrange a viewing.

Guide price £200+

Books for sale from £20

Brooding sky and distant Wolds near Southburn.

 
The weather forecast predicted heavy rain followed by thunderstorms. During a brief respite, I headed towards Southburn, hoping to capture the darkening skies. I spotted this field with some light stubble clinging on, even after the initial rolling and harvest. Using a large one-inch hog, I quickly painted the sky. As I painted, it transformed dramatically. At one point, a shower made me pause (since I was using water-based oil paints). The distant strip of hillsides is suggested rather than detailed, and it often disappeared as rolling showers passed. The goal was to create a memory of the active sky—to work quickly. 14x10 inch oil on canvas

Books available from me, please email if interested.