Brewery Dray in Guildford
When we were breaking down the exhibition on Friday morning, I sold this painting at the last minute. A young woman arrived breathless with the money and bought it. I was very pleased with this as it raised my score for the whole exhibition to four paintings sold. Not the best that I have ever done but not the worst either, and certainly quite respectable.
The other three were Strolling through Montmartre, Grand Canal Venice and Painshill Park
Paris and Venice are always popular, especially the well-known landmarks. I have almost lost count of how many of each that I have sold. Painshill Park is a new subject for me and I was heartened to sell this picture, as I now feel encouraged to paint some other views, of which there are many to choose from
Painshill is a local estate near Cobham in Surrey. It was laid out in the c18 by a man called Charles Hamilton. It was in the style of a natural landscape made popular at the time by garden architects like Capability Brown and Humphrey Repton. The views were sculpted, whole forests were planted, fake ruins were built and rivers were dammed to form lakes.
Hamilton worked a lot with American species of trees. It was interesting to note that you could import a “box” of plants from American nurserymen, suitably packed to withstand the rough and long sea voyage. Many did survive and are still flourishing in the park today.
Over the years, the place deteriorated and became overgrown. In the 1950s it was rediscovered and lovingly brought back to life. Every year there is a new project. Recently the old boat house was rebuilt using old photographs. The previous year one of the bridges was replaced using an old painting as a reference. I attach my painting
This was an unwary group of people feeding the Canada Geese by the lake at Painshill. There are literally flocks of geese of different species, as well as ducks and swans. Always a lot of activity on the water. In the background is one of the strategically placed follies, which I think is the Gothic Chapel
I am starting to whet my own appetite for painting here again!
A different view of the lake with a different ruin which could make a good subject. Wants something in the foreground though. I have umpteen swan pictures from which to choose.
I have a commission to do and then I might tackle this one
I quite liked the description of the breathless woman who bought the painting at the last moment. It was kind of humorous. Would the money raised from the exhibition go for the hospital fund? Just curious.
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The hospital takes a commission and a hanging fee. The rest of the money goes to my own costs. In 2014 when I last showed at the hospital, and did particularly well, I gave my net profit to the Woking Hospice, but I do not commit myself to doing that.
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Glad to learn that monsieur. Charity, we say at home, the more unselfish act it is, the more prosperity it brings. And what could be more prosperous than good health and sound mind? I am not an art addict but I like Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema’s works. They speak.
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It is encouraging for you to sell your paintings. The horses are magnificent. The lake/geese scene looks so tranquil and pretty. Well done!
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Thanks Caroline. Four sales in the end. Respectable result. I have done better but am happy with that
I like painting the heavy horses. Am working on a commission at the moment, so maybe do some horses l;ater
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