Oak at night in winter
oil on canvas, 300mm x 300mm
private collection
print available click here
If there are ancient experiences this was one. It
was winter and the ground was bare. I was sitting painting. It was
late with no moon and in the distance I thought I heard horses
hooves on bare earth. Old.
There were hundreds of yards of open field on all
sides and I could see nothing. With no moonlight the skyline
becomes less detailed and it's not easy to make out shapes against
it. Everything seems to be on the edge of vision. The galloping got
louder and for a second I froze. That's when I felt the hairs on
the back of my neck stand up for the first time in my life. I could
almost feel my neck get bigger. I sensed the direction and thought
this must be a deer, but the sound was heavy and loud: a stag. I
saw a shape move up from the skyline not far away. At this point I
switched on a small torch. It must have been strange for him ! He
stopped. And went away.
studio
Edging tape being removed on completion of the
painting.