Raven Crag

  It seems such a long time since I have been out on the hills, so today I was able to combine a bit of business with pleasure. After first meeting up with some clients and delivering to them their purchased Wainwrights in Colour fells I had then planned to complete a short route up at the head of Great Langdale. Things were not in my favour, as I drove up to the head of the valley I could see that low cloud covered the top of Bowfell, one of the references that I needed to see. So I opted for plan "B", that was to head homewards and maybe to do a short walk elsewhere.
 Fortunately there were some breaks in the cloud and some late afternoon sun made an appearance. I grabbed the opportunity to walk up to the top of Raven Crag, a small fell near the dam of Thirlmere. The good weather held and our small effort was rewarded with some fine views.

The Dodds and Thirlmere.

I dont usually "do" panoramas but I thought that this one was worth the effort. (Click on the image to view in full)

Fishy Tales

  Obtaining the references for the Wainwrights in Colour project is usually fairly straight forward. Once I have done the research the task normally consists of visiting the location and photographing the scene from where AW stood. However, there is one referencem in all of the pictorial Guides that I knew would be difficult or amybe impossible to obtain, that being a wooden "fish" signpost that he drew on page 6 of the Whin Rigg chapter. The fact that it was made of wood and of a small size meant that it had probably disappeared long ago.
What should I do? Look for it anyway and if not found just leave it out of the project?
The words thjat AW wrote about the signpost "-artist unknown,..congratulations on a bright and original idea" these gave me an idea.
So it was that on the 31st March (an important date for my plan) I set off to complete a route that would end up with me heading down from Whin rigg past the place where the signpost had been located. A few days prior to this I had fashioned from wood a replica of the Fish sign, spending some time weathering it and even adding some moss to give it an aged look. Taking it with me I was able to photograph it on site. I did of course spend a considerable time looking for the original sign but with no luck. consequently on return from my trip I was able to upload onto my website my photos from the day including the "finding" of this fish sign. The photographs were of course uploaded and posted on the morning of 1st April, hence my reason for doing the walk on the 31st March. As far as I know, no one cottened on to this April Fool prank until the exhibition in october when my replica fish was put on display.
The end result from this? I was able to complete a sketch of the Whin Rigg sign, OK it may not be the original but I would like to think that AW would find it amusing!

Bailey's training- six months on.

 Hard to believe that it's been six months since Bailey came home with us from the Dog's Trust. Patience and understanding has meant that we now have him under a bit of control but there is still some more work to do.

Crinkle Crags Complete

  The work on Crinkle Crags, one of the Classic and popular Wainwright fells is now complete. Comprising of eleven seperate sketches this fell has been a challenge and a joy to do. Every drawing reminds me of great days out on the fells where I can recall the adventures of the walking whilst being in the studio.

Crinkle Crags from Pike o' Blisco.

All of the sketches for Crinkle crags can now be found on the website.

A Snipe sneaks in

  Nearly all my time is currently taken up with the Wainwright project and consequently there is very little fresh work in the gallery from my normal protfolio. It is great to have such a full order book but frustrating that visitors to the gallery dont see much fresh work.
I took a short time out today to produce a quick watercolour sketch of a Snipe, produced on a spare piece of paper and no doubt it will slip into a frame that I already have.

Evening Snipe.

More information on this sketch will apprear on the website shortly, meantime, back to the Wainwrights.

Doing the rounds

A day away from the easel yesterday, delivering completed works to customers around the Yorks/ lancs area. I pefer to deliver the works by hand as it seems a bit more personal than sending them in the post (and its safer!) Its a shame but these works hardly ever to get to be put on public display in the gallery but at least on the website all the work can be seen.

Red Deer - The Nab.

After returning home its always a joy to recieve email messages like this.

 "We are amazed and full of admiration for Andy's vision for this project, and the extreme fortitude needed to make it happen. We have bought "The Nab", personally delivered by Andy yesterday (14/07/2010) and are delighted with it. When it is possible to register for a copy of the limited edition book, we would like to be considered. A "must do" for us in the coming months, will be to make a trip to the gallery. Best wishes, E. & G, W.."

It makes all those long days our on the hill well worth while.

Pages from my sketchbook

  Over the past few years the "normal" subjects for my artwork have had to take a back seat whilst I complete my current Wainwright project. So much so that some people think that painting Wainwright scenes is all that I do. To put this right I will shortly be carrying out a bit of re-designing my website which not only will be more informative but also make it a bit easier to navigate.
 One of the new features which is going to be included is "pages from my sketchbook" which should hopefully give visitors an insight into the background work to many of my paintings whether landscape or wildlife.

Eggleston Abbey, Teesdale.

Brown Hares-study

I will post an update when the work on the website has been carried out.