Summer By The River - Stratford Upon Avon

Running everyday along the river with my border collie has provided the inspiration for my latest series of paintings that I have called ‘Summer By The River’. I live in the centre of Stratford-Upon - Avon so I am fortunate to be able to reach the river in approximately five or six minutes from my house. When back in the studio I will scan through all of my images and select the ones that I feel will tell the story of my experience. I visit the river at different times in the day and I alter my route so that I can visit as many different places from the centre of Stratford-Upon-Avon to what is know as Lucy’s Mill and beyond to fields called Seven Meadows. Deeply inspired by the work of John Constable and in particular his oil studies I am interested in recording a sense of place loosely using my own form of painterly expression and mark making to observe the colours, light and shapes within the landscape. Some of the places that I have painted are easily recognizable as indicated by the title, or landmarks such as Holy Trinity Church or the world famous Royal Shakespeare Theatre although other places are more remote. My main interest is responding in a personal and instinctive way to the river as it is my main source of inspiration and where I feel most at ease, when exercising, painting or walking with my family. I hope that you enjoy looking at my new collection of paintings that have been created en-plein air or in my garden studio in the centre of Stratford-Upon Avon.