I love painting bales at this time of year. These days they are usually round, although there are still a few rectangular ones if you are prepared to look hard enough. These straw bales were in a field where I have painted them many times over the years, but I always try painting them from a different position in order to change the background a little.
The outlook is gloomy for the next few days, but I took a chance and carried my sketchbook out along the byways. I liked these trees but I had to sketch them from the other side of the gate, as the field is still too sodden for the usual amount of footfall.
I took a chance with the weather this morning, and followed one of the footpaths across the fields near here. Despite the weather app warning of rain, it amounted to only a couple of drops before moving off elsewhere. It was lovely to be out again. There were plenty of bugs around, but they were far too interested in the thistles and other wild flowers to bother about taking chunks out of me. Being outside with the intention of painting or sketching, doesn’t always mean one has to search for a grand panorama – often it is the small snatched view through a gateway or among some trees, or as in this case, a simple plank walkway from one field to another can capture the interest, and will forever be a reminder of a pleasant walk in a lull before the next downpour.
A Perfect Summer’s Day
The recent weather has not been compatible with watercolour painting on location. There were lots of places I had hoped to have been by now, but so far July has been a wash out. Not just wet, but sudden, unpredictable drenching, can’t-see-in-front-of-you, drain flooding torrents. Not fun. I’ve been re-imagining previous paintings/sketches to remind myself of perfect Summer days of the past, and hoping it will not be long before we experience something like them again.
This sketch, from this afternoon, was from the edge of a field which has been left unmown and ungrazed to encourage more wild flowers and wildlife. There is certainly more pollen blowing around, and at the moment, a lot more horse flies which are reluctant to let go once they have sunk their fangs into you! A useful information gathering sketch from among the thistles, and lovely to be outside.
The Anemones came just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, and are a welcome addition to the garden. I am hoping they will survive the strong wind which arrived at the same time.
The old Catholic Church was built in the 1960’s, before which meetings took place in private homes. It was originally built to double as the church hall when a more substantial building was erected. Sadly this never happened. It closed in 2022 and now sits in it’s little plot of land with a ‘Sold’ sign by the gate.
The north door of St Edward’s Church in Stow on the Wold, stands diminutive between two sturdy tree trunks, as strong as a Giant’s legs, straddling the entrance, protecting it from harm. No wonder many people believe this place inspired Tolkien in his portrayal of a secret world.
Images from the showground at Malvern yesterday during the final day of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Festival.Looked at plants and planting, gaining ideas for our own plot. Looked at Show Gardens, LOTS of plants, pots, planters, bulbs, new varieties, bees and bugs, water features, more plants, tools, displays… and managed to do some sketching. Although the ground was wet, the sky was clear and it was a lovely way to spend the day!
The tulips have done well this year, especially these which were grown in a pot. Although we expected them to be a different colour, it really doesn’t matter. I love the way they turned their tight little heads and relaxed their petals as they bathed in the sun.
Graham Findlay Watercolours 