Painting of Lytes Cary Manor, East View
Painted, this time from the East, a great view of Lytes Cary Manor. This one looking back to where I painted the manor first time.
At the right is the Chapel with its gothic mullioned window. Manicured lawns stretch away to the North with large box cut domes lining the pathway. Looking to the North gives a view of the Dovecote set in the middle of the pasture.
A still life of beach combings
It was my first visit to shingle ridge of Chesil and while photographically interesting both scenically and for the flora. It seems the driftwood and flotsam was what I took away with me. Some of the species found are Spiny Spider Crab (Maja squinado), Dog whelk (Nucella lapillus), Sea Wash Ball, Egg Case Of Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) and Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis). Chesil is one of three major shingle structures in Britain.
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Painting of Sunflowers, Field of Dreams
This painting was inspired by a visit to the Field of Dreams at the Barcroft Hall Estate in South Petherton, Somerset. The owners reclaimed some abused land and planted one of the largest collections of annual wild flowers from around the world. Several years running the fields were seeded and open to the public in the summer. This attracted thousands of people who came to walk in the meadow along the mown paths.
A mixture of 57 species wild flower from around the world were broadcast sown to create a dense display of colour. In 2012 a whole field of sunflowers were planted and the seeing the two fields next to each other suggested this combination as a subject to paint.
Originally created to drain the Somerset Levels it never really worked. Luckily as part of the wetlands of the Somerset Levels it still has scenic and wildlife value. Finding myself here for the fist time in years, having moved away. I took the opportunity to capture the scene. Restoration and improvement for wildlife continues. The scope has increased in recent years. Improving the area for wildlife and the visitors. A unique place, come and see if you’re in the area.
Painting of South Drain looking east from Edington Road, Burtle, Somerset
Lytes Cary Manor, South View
Lytes Cary Manor is a medieval house with it’s own chapel, seen here at the right of the picture. A remarkable building and garden in rural Somerset. The house was lived in by Henry Lyte, where he translated the unique Niewe Herball.
Feeling the responsibility of their position in society they would allow the less fortunate to benefit from the leftovers. When food remained after meals it could left to others. Wooden rollers placed vertically like the bars of a prison allowed for an arm to reach through. The width of the gap and what you could hold in your hand determined the amount of food you could take.
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Painting of Daffodils
An obvious choice here in the UK as spring arrives. I turned around one day and there they were in a vase. All I had to do was set up the lighting and background for this simple but satisfying painting. Painted in thick oil giving great texture set against a dark background.
Impressionistic painting of the Tiverton Canal at Holbrook Bridge with ducks swimming past.
Tiverton canal at the Holbrook Bridge, Devon
The canal is a remarkable place to walk, cycle or just sit and enjoy the view. A a thin ribbon of water full of interesting wildlife and scenery. In the early summer the ducklings and other young waterfowl can easily be spotted. Ducking in and out of the reeds following their parents. Dragonflies and damselflies emerge throughout spring and summer. They zip around and perch on the vegetation only being disturbed as we pass them by. A popular yet mostly tranquil place.
Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima)Painted in the grounds of a country house in 2009, this Iris was fruiting in the late summer on the edge of a pond. The satin finish to these seeds is most attractive. Their shape like a hockey puck, make me want to pick them and feel their shape and texture in my hands.