Near the dew pond at the Thixendale path, on Painsthorpe Road, but looking backwards beyond the dew pond into Long Dale, home, more often than not, of four exquisite horses. Three chestnut and one almost black. These horses are hunters and in the prime of life, they are large, have intelligent eyes and can move quickly. I really wanted to enter the Dale and climb the hillside but these horses are very frisky and I am not sure if it would be safe for me, or indeed, if it would upset them. So I stayed at the roadside. Here is one of the horses, painted quickly as it stood still, the other three being a little ahead.
I think I would like to do a painting of a horse. I would do a lot of looking, make sketches and notes and then paint it at home with final touches to be made at the site.
Anyway, I digress, as George sat in the open car, tailgate raised, two walkers came towards me from the Thixendale path. One of them recognised George's breed, explaining that they had owned one which reached the age of 12. ( 10 is the benchmark ). So I stopped painting and we exchanged views about the dogs and the painting. Then I remembered to mention the virtual Wolds Exhibition I have up and running at the moment. They had traveled from Settle and loved walking the Wolds which found them passing me. I asked if they had seen the marbled whites and, yes, they had. Such a special butterfly. As I finished the painting I heard a buzzard mewing, looking up I could just see it and have put it in. I think I heard a curlew but was not sure. Must go back and listen again. Perhaps this hay fever will pass soon.
Plein air, oil on canvas board, 14x11 inch.
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