"Clouds of glory, last light over the Cumberland Fells, 2015" Painting

These new paintings are for me both a fresh departure as well as a return to my roots as a
mountain painter. They are inspired by subjects which are for me iconic Lakeland views:
crags, rock studies; the wilderness of the high fell which awaits discovery quietly above the tree line.

These are the things which made me a painter, solid immovable motifs the artist returns to again and again, often rebuffed by the elements, but always to be discovered afresh in a different season or mood.

And there is much to paint and record for the first time. The artist, if also a walker is often a hopeless addict to novelty and exploration, and I was at one time worried that when the last fell was climbed in Cumbria, there would be no more worlds to conquer. Of course this is nonsense – a different time of day or year offers a completely new perspective on a landscape, so even a relatively small wilderness like the Lake District has plenty of secrets left to discover.

These past years have seen me build up a vital 'mental network' of knowledge necessary to being an artist – viewpoints, times of day or season, effects of light or weather, all of which make the lake country endlessly interesting, frustrating and rewarding to the artist. Even in a comparatively small Vale such as Grasmere the potential viewpoints and compositions are endless, and visitors will no doubt have their own favorites. Some are well known, such as the view from the lake shore or Loughrigg {though even this has its secrets, such as the bield or shelter on a small summit.} Some are more shy or inaccessible– the view from Tarn crag, or little Dockey tarn, offer startling and new insights. Only recently I was surprized by the remarkable view from below Fairfield – the coiled energy of the Langdales and deep arc of Easedale and Greenburn were fully revealed as sweeping empty glacial gouges for the first time. Such discoveries give fresh realization and enthusiasm to my paintings – and show how little I yet know. I still rate Black crag, on the way to Alcock tarn, White Moss common and Silver How as classic viewpoints, whilst the 'reverse of the medal' views, from Steel Fell or Fairfield are fine too.