Swifts at Roseberry Topping (2026)

Original media: Inks, acrylics, gouache, watercolour, pencils, gold leaf and gold thread.

The Cleveland Way is one of the shorter national trails, beginning in Helmsley in North Yorkshire. The path takes you to the coast at Saltburn by the Sea, and then all along the coastal path to Filey Brigg. In May 2025 I ran the whole path over the course of a week. I was on my own for most of it, then joined by my best running friends at Whitby for the last couple of days. I carried a little running pack with everything I needed for the week on my back (I wasn’t camping!) and the smallest drawing kit in a pouch on my front. I stopped to draw whenever inspiration struck. I took photographs too, but mostly the paintings are based on the sketches.

This the beginning of the day that I finally reached the sea. Making my way up from Great Ayton (where I'd spent the night at the greyest of Air B&B's) and back on to the Cleveland Way path. I loved the arch of that solitary pine bending towards the point of Roseberry Topping, and the very busy swifts!

Available as a signed limited edition print, hand-finished with gold leaf and gold thread. All prints are mounted and can be posted, unless purchased framed.