This was the final painting in my ‘Follow the Leader’ series. What started as an attempt to breathe new life into an old print became a beautiful journey around Victorian England. I have always admired the great Victorian artists and aspired to be able to paint like them ever since I started my own art journey. Benjamin Williams Leader RA was one of the very best of these now forgotten masters. They concentrated on the beauty that was all around them. Yes, they sometimes ignored the harsh reality of life for so many back then, but surely beauty deserves a place in art. Even the people who had to endure the hardships would have been cheered by seeing beautiful paintings. If spirits could and still can be lifted even if just for a short while, then surely this makes the case for retaining beauty even in today’s world of art. Art follows no logic – it cannot be quantified objectively therefore anyone’s opinion including yours or mine is as valid as anyone else’s no matter what some might try to promote. The question is therefore a personal one. Do I like this work of art? If the answer is yes then it is a good work of art and should be celebrated as such. So I offer you this painting for consideration. It is based on a large oil painting by Leader. It is not and was never intended to be an exact copy but I hope you can glean from it the essence of his style in the grand tradition of Victorian art and maybe discern a touch of me in there as well. It could only be England couldn't it… with the soft rolling background, gently flowing river and small Church overseeing village life…where else could it be? Is it a beautiful painting then? For me – yes. I certainly enjoyed doing it and looking at it gives me a feeling of nostalgic pleasure. I sincerely hope you like it too. Glenn
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