12x10 inch oil on canvas panel.
One of my favourite spots. This is a track, alongside a plantation near Etton West Wood Farm off Warter Road.
Here, as always, like so many places, the landscape is described by the farming year, we are in mid June and the fields are full of cereal crops. At the field margins umbrals stand aloft, cow parsley going over, gradually nodding to the larger, often taller hemlocks. Golden buttercups can still be seen, though now, it is their pale seedheads that look alien at the end of long stems which focus minds. This land of gentle rolling hills, with wide vistas is broken by woodland belts, hereabouts, often named after people. The woods are a haven for wildlife and a variety of animals can be spotted. However, mostly, I appreciate the verges here which are still home to wild flowers not commonly seen. In the hedges the English Rose, the dog rose of Shakespeare, either pale pink or white cascade to ground level. They are so pretty and efforts should be made to see them before they lose their short lived flowers. I see the white flowers of brambles emerging and tell myself to make a mental note, later, I hope to collect some for an apple and bramble pie.
The nearby gatehouse provides a focal point for the painting and the cottage behind, on the edge of the wood makes me think of ' Hansel and Gretel'. Standing painting; I always stand, makes one aware of the sense of place, perhaps more so, than just looking at a picture.
Here, with this painting, I can mentally revisit the quietude, sense the stillness and remember serendipitous moments, like spotting a particular butterfly or seeing a kestrel and a buzzard sail wingtip to wingtip, next to each other on a shared thermal.
Only available here, at my online store.
*******************************
My Yorkshire Sketchbook, limited edition with double page spreads which include notated sketches is now available from my online shop.A very short video of the book ca be seen below,
Short video here.
No comments:
Post a Comment