That last one was the bad post that I needed to write. I wanted to get it done before going back to the studio on Monday January 6th. For me the new year begins then! My children are rejoicing in the room next door as the first school day back has been declared a snow day! Which means that when I’m back in the mill tomorrow, I will have company. We set up a HUGE scalextric track over the holidays so they’re going to come in for one last play on it before putting it away. I can then reclaim my desks…
Next year, and this feels very risky, I am NOT having an exhibition. After a really busy year of building towards the ‘Engineers & Chocolatiers’ exhibition at Bankfield, I wanted to approach a project differently. Usually I agree a date with a gallery and work backwards from that. This time I wanted to start with an idea and see where it takes me. So…
In July last year, when my family was all away, Daphne (my little car) and I went on a little adventure to Kilburn. This will mark the beginning of two journeys I’d like to complete in 2025:
Me and my lovely running girls ran a section of the Cleveland way in 2023. We ran from Staithes to Scarborough, stopping over night at Boggle Hole. It was beautiful. I’ve always wanted to run the whole 109 mile trail, and this year I plan to do it! I want to run it mostly on my own, with the bare essentials, a sketchbook and a camera. I want to draw on the way round (which is why I’m best on my own) for inspiration for a series of Cleveland Way inspired paintings. Perhaps also to create a book and a map.
I need to work it all out. I might do it in two halves – the inland section and the coastal section. I’m NOT camping!
The Path begins at Helmsley, so while I was away in the summer I stayed the night there. I met several couples, all starting the path. I’ve painted lots of places that are on the Cleveland Way over the years. Here are a few of my favourites:
After the Rain at Rievaulx – Kilburn White Horse
Catch Your Breath – Spindrift – Whitby – Staithes
The path passes the White Horse at Kilburn, which I’d sat and drawn in July. To find the best view I had a nasty encounter with some dogs that chased me into a beautiful meadow. I felt I’d earned the right to a use a little artistic licence and included the meadow in my ‘Summer at Kilburn’ painting:
‘Summer at Kilburn’ – 2024. Inks, acrylics, gouache, watercolour, gold thread and gold leaf.
This marks the start of journey Number 2: to find all the White Horse Hill figures! Well, most of them. For that I’m going to be heading down to Wiltshire (where my parents are) and Oxfordshire, and hopefully exploring them with Daniel in Spring. One of my favourite artists is Eric Ravilious and he painted the South Downs. There is a quiet beauty to his work that I love. I want to find his views.
Kilburn White Horse – Wood Engraving with a little gold leaf. 2024
I know what I’m doing with the Cleveland Way project. I think that’s going to Chantry House Gallery in 2026. As for the White Horses – I’ve no idea! It would be nice to find a gallery outside Yorkshire to take my work; I’m just going to see how it develops.
There! My statement of intentions for 2025. If I’ve said it out loud I HAVE to do at least one. Best start training.
Thank goodness for your resilience! Exciting times ahead for you…. I’m going to have to plan a trip to the Chantry Gallery next year.
In the summer of the last two years I have done a couple of long trips round the uk in my trailer tent with my two dogs. I had a wonderful time drawing the landscapes, boats and buildings. I took photos too (as the dogs don’t always want to hang about too long) and have been working from them since. I think you will have a fantastic time. There was a wonderful sense of freedom and adventure. I love Cornwall and enjoyed Port Isaac, St Ives and Mousehole. There are some wonderful little fishing villages. I visited Staithes as well and had fun getting down the hill in my wheelchair with 2 dogs! That was an experience I will never forget.
To produce the most exquisite beautiful work that you do with the problems you’ve suffered is a testament to your strength and character!
You make the world a better place.
Wonderful plans, i look forward to seeing the art that grows from them. I have a wonderfully talented cousin who runs botanical painting retreats at Helmsley Walled garden. I always feel that you two should bump into each other one day!
I have the pleasure of living in Sussex, so Ravilious has always been a favorite, I hope you find time to pay your respects to the Long Man if your path wends this way and visit the slightly scruffy white horse at Litlington. Not as ancient as some, but still rather fun
How exciting…. New adventures and goals… and you are doing it for you! After reading about the last 5 years you deserve it! I look forward to seeing the fruits of your adventures!
I love everything about this quest. It has been a life goal to go in a three month quest across America but now that the UK is in my life I’m so pulled to consider doing it there. I wouldn’t do it alone as I don’t have the confidence to navigate such an adventure as a solo.
Good luck on whatever you decide. I look forward to seeing the fruits of your adventure on canvas someday.
Happy weekend!!!! ???C
You’re fearless Carla! I’m a timid soul, so this would be a big adventure for me, especially with only myself for company. I may have to start chatting with the sheep. xx
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025! Your blog has been a source of inspiration and joy. Here’s to another year of incredible stories and ideas.