The Spring Green house. Oil on canvas 51 x 76 cm, 2021. My submission to the competition.
Tuesday 20th June 2023 : Filming Landscape Sky Arts Heat 3
After all the application forms and phone interviews, it was so wonderful to get the email informing me, I had a place on Landscape Sky Arts of The Year 2024. Filming took place in June 2023. We were required to be on site at 7am at Hever Castle. I arrived in an impressive rain storm and joined the queue of artists, huddling under the trees, where there was a great atmosphere, despite the weather.
I was in the wrong queue, I’d join the hardy ‘wildcards’ and was whisked away to join those in the Pods. After breakfast and a short talk in the black double decker bus, we were transported down the narrow paths of Hever Gardens, until we arrived at The famous Pods by the Lake. There, the fantastic behind-the-scenes staff were busy brushing out the rain.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself taking part in the show. Especially because my family arrived to cheer me on and my grandchildren immediately got drawing themselves.
I encourage anyone to apply and have a go. You are well looked after. It does take some getting used to being interviewed at intervals and then trying to get back to your non-verbal painting space. Also painting trees and lakes is not my natural habitat, as I prefer to paint on city streets.
You are not going to paint a masterpiece in four hours, but it is good practice to try and I did ‘try’ in my neighbours gardens beforehand. I was at a bit of a loss painting the lake , until Tai-Shan Schieven and Stephen Mangan rowed across in front of me, with the brave camera man wedged in front of them, who of course you don’t see.
It was unexpected joy to be shortlisted, but Deepa Goswami so deserved to win.
The Judge, The Presenter and the Camera man on Hever Lake.
Oil on canvas, 45×60 cms. 2023.
Painted in 4 hours during Heat 3 in Hever Castle.
The Practice- 4 hour Runs:
Sandi’s Garden. Oil on canvas, 45 x 60 cms, 2023
Siobhan’s Pond. Oil on canvas, 45 x 60 cms. 2023
