Isn't it strange how we sometimes overlook the obvious. This painting proves the point. Several years ago I was commissioned to do a painting on the 'Thieve's Highway' trail at Sutton Bank. This trail starts at the White Horse car park and meanders it's way up the steep sided bank towards the escarpment summit. It is much easier to negotiate than the direct climb up the steps to the summit but whether this made it more amenable to 'thieves' is open to conjecture. What cannot be doubted though is the beauty of the location. To add to its attractions was the abundance of wild flowers gracing the side of the trail. My client was particularly interested in the Rosebay Willow Herb or 'fireplant' growing in abundance there. They certainly are a stately sight growing up to five foot tall and swaying with the breeze. Judy, my client, showed me her preferred spot and then she and Merice headed up the steps for a walk along the plateau while I sat down and made several sketches. When they returned we retired to the Byland Arms where I indulged in the most expensive steak pie ever courtesy of the Judy's largesse. It certainly was a hard days work but hey....someone has to do it. Back in my studio I produced several paintings and let Judy choose her favourite which she duly did. The others were consigned to obscurity until very recently when I 'rediscovered' this among a cache of old paintings. Because Judy didn't want it I had simply discarded it but on seeing it again I realised it is a lovely painting (even though I say so myself!). I think she may have made the wrong choice but I think she was more interested in the flowers rather than the scene as a whole. Because it hadn't fitted her brief I had missed the obvious - it is a painting in its own right. However I am now pleased to rectify that mistake and show it to you. For me it just works...filled with the sights and emotions (and tastes!) of such a very pleasant day.
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