Filey Brigg (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.

I knew that the Cleveland Way ends at Filey Brigg, but I didn't know what 'The Brigg' was and I'd never been to Filey before. The colours were beautiful and the sun was hot. I noticed that the sea on one side of The Brigg was big and swirling. On the other side almost still but for the gentle lapping of the waves. I took a photo at the end of the Brigg to send to Mum and then Gill and I found our way onto the beach where we bought the very best cup of tea to drink with our bare feet in the sea.

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.