Today I intended to research views with the possibility of a future painting. Just in case I saw something I had rearranged the car providing a place for a wet canvas as well as a place for George, in such a way both were protected from one another. I travelled towards Warter and Huggate, often stopping to walk George and to look for a view to paint. I am really so familier with this area that I know most of the likely places, however this doesn't rule out views as the developing seasons wash them in changing colour. As the light changes the fields go through stages of transition, the land is also being prepaired for sowing making distant fields a patchwork of browns ranging from almost pink to dark tan depending on the light and indeed, passing shadows.The contours of the hills are reflected as bending straight lines. Other fields are now emerging 'fert' dark green and sprayers can be seen. Today I watched a bright yellow, six wheeled vehicle, the main tank lettered Dammann which moved deliberately over a healthy greening crop. As I looked I could make out the booms releasing a constant mist of something, the driver was not wearing a Hazmat suit, so it made me think the spray may be benign, nonetheless I stayed upwind. The rig turned and headed towards me. Then I noticed that only one arm was discharging, the other boom arm was shut off. I guess this was calculated, but how? Was it a computer controlled? Was it maybe linked to telematics? Then I found myself wondering if the nozzles over the tyre tracks would be shut off as the are when sowing cereals. Hmmnnnn ...must ask my friends up at Warter.
( The Warter Estate is very well organised and all the staff from gamekeepers to contrators have been helpful and interesting to talk to. Please have a look at this amazing video, it shows tractors ploughing but has a little surprise... )
I realised that I was wasting time and moved on. I drove through Warter and headed to Huggate stopping at Keasey Dale where I walked George again. Then I drove round to Well Dale. I took George along the path and tried to access Well Dale. The fencing there is needed to keep the sheep in and since my stroke I find it difficult to clamber over high fences.I persevered and found myself at the other side of the fence but then George could'nt get over so we gave up and returned to the car. Eventually, I found myself near Robert Fuller's Gallery in Fotherdale, over at Thixendale. I stopped and inspected the small dewpond and yes, I saw newts. So all is well. The hunters were grazing nearby and though it ewas now 4pm I decided to start a painting from near the pond. So here it is. I have done this before but I like the way the view changes. Red kites flew overhead as I quickly laid out the painting. Two young men stopped to chat, they had walked from Kirby Underdale, very impressive I thought, before watching them stroll along the Thixen Dale valley path.This is another painting using just three colours, red, blue and yellow...plus white, so four I guess. ....I like this area and would suggest it makes an ideal spot for walkers and artists. A good place to stay is Country Huts at Thixendale. The pub at Thixendale is sadly closed as I write this though, hopefully, someone will take it on again. A short distance away is the newly refurbished Wolds Inn at Huggate. It offers excellent food and also has rooms. I often visit the area and welcome helping other artists and talking to people. Being outside painting is a joy which, at this tim,e when Covid is still with us, offers a safe place for us to be creative. My online shop is now open. Painting outside and seeing the seasons change and the land being farmed has made me think a lot more about where our food comes from.....oil on canvas 36x24 inch..... now available visit my online shop for details.
Happy painting and Happy Easter to everyone.
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