Tuesday 20th June 2023 : Filming Landscape Sky Arts Heat 3
After all the application forms and interviews, it was wonderful to receive the email confirming my place on Landscape Sky Arts of the Year 2024. Filming took place in June 2023 at Hever Castle, and I arrived at 7am into an impressive rainstorm. Despite the weather, the atmosphere among the artists was great as we huddled under the trees.
I was in the wrong queue and joined the hardy ‘wildcards,’ eventually making my way to the Pods by the Lake. The behind-the-scenes team were fantastic, brushing off the rain and keeping everything running smoothly.
I thoroughly enjoyed taking part, especially having my family there to cheer me on, with my grandchildren immediately inspired to start drawing themselves.
I encourage anyone to apply—you are very well looked after. It takes some getting used to, juggling interviews and returning to your painting space, and painting trees and lakes is outside my usual urban focus. You won’t create a masterpiece in four hours, but it’s excellent practice. I even tried in my neighbour’s gardens beforehand! Painting the lake was tricky until Tai-Shan Schieven and Stephen Mangan rowed across in front of me, camera man wedged in tow.
Being shortlisted was an unexpected joy, though Deepa Goswami truly deserved to win.
Here are some photographs from the filming day at Hever Castle Lake, 20th June 2023.
Oil on canvas 51 x 76 cm, 2021.
My submission to the competition.
Oil on canvas, 45×60 cms. 2023.
Painted in 4 hours during Heat 3 in Hever Castle.
The Practice Runs – 4 hours each
