Thursday, 19 February 2015

Spring is Approaching

Just thought I would pop in a photograph that I found on the internet of our new home, taken in the summer months. I say new, although suddenly we've been here 5 months.


We are up there in the top right hand corner(ish) ... you can see why the house is named 'Highview.'

I put the photograph in as I have no painting at the moment, but I am researching a new series which is going to involve horses and people... but not in their normal environment, a bit on the wild-side. I have never painted animals before and, as is my want, I'm making the task ridiculously difficult for myself.

Spring is coming!
Posted by at

21 comments:

  1. Autumn Leaves19 February 2015 at 02:44

    John I make everything hard on myself too. You'll do well; I have no doubts. Love this photograph and your new home seems amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Linda Roth19 February 2015 at 04:24

    And you do have the best view too! From your perch, the world looks lovely. Landscapes might be around the corner for you? Plein air painting. Spring is such a lovely thought, but the groundhog saw his shadow here. I would have never guessed that Wales was more southerly than Michigan. I'll have to have a look at our latitudes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gatepost productions19 February 2015 at 07:37

      Fishguard, Wales is approx 52 deg N whilst Michigan is considerably south of that at approx 44 deg N. The difference in weather is down to the Atlantic being a lot warmer than the landmass that surrounds you. We are warmed by the Gulf Stream and the prevailing wind from the Atlantic. Consequently we tend to get rain and mist (& gales) whilst you get snow ... as does a lot of Europe that is south of us: Switzerland and Austria for example which are landlocked. When the wind veers to the south we get warmer air from Africa. When it veers East we get it from Russia, and North from the Arctic. Luckily we get mainly westeners :0) ooops, sorry, I prattle on sometimes

      Delete
  3. John (JWJarts)19 February 2015 at 04:33

    What a gorgeous spot John and you're first full summer there is going to be amazing. What an exciting time for you. As for your new series, I just know it's going to be breathtaking ... your work always is. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gatepost productions19 February 2015 at 07:40

      Thanks, John. You really are cutting-it with your ventures into pen and ink drawing... really impressed

      Delete
  4. Sandra Busby19 February 2015 at 05:31

    Wow! Where is that John? It's stunning!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gatepost productions19 February 2015 at 07:45

      Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, West Wales.

      In Welsh, Fishguard is Abergwaun. Aber meaning Mouth of and Gwaun meaning Gwaun (name of the river ).... Abergwaun therefore = Mouth of the river Gwaun

      Delete
  5. Anne Le Maître19 February 2015 at 06:09

    Such a beautiful view. How lucky you are, John...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gatepost productions19 February 2015 at 07:47

      Yes, I really am lucky, Anne. My family (on both sides) come from this spot as far back as 1700 ....but my first visit here was 18 months ago

      Delete
  6. Judy19 February 2015 at 07:33

    A gorgeous spot, John, looking forward to your new paintings!

    ReplyDelete
  7. PaintingWrite19 February 2015 at 11:32

    Wow, John it looks absolutely stunning! I'll look forward to seeing you horse paintings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gatepost productions21 February 2015 at 06:48

      Thanks Nic ... the horses are trying to bolt from the brush!

      Delete
  8. juliefordoliver.blogspot.com19 February 2015 at 19:19

    MY GAWD! Did you buy a hotel or something...it sure looks BIG! Are all those buildings by it, it attached? What type of car gets you up there?
    Another question, John - was this a smugglers cove back in the old days? It is so beautiful - makes me want to want to hop on a plane and move in. Do you share studio space!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gatepost productions21 February 2015 at 06:51

      No... there are a number of houses up there, mine is in that area ... its big enough though. It's not up a steep track its connected to the town with conventional roads.

      Not sure about the smugglers, there were pirates at one time though.

      You're always welcome, Julie

      Delete
  9. Studio at the Farm20 February 2015 at 07:54

    What a gorgeous spot in which to live!!! And I can almost see horses away far off in those rolling hills. I look forward to seeing your paintings of "wild life"!!!
    Thank you for your note, John. It is such a huge relief to get that test out of the way. I am sure it is benefitting no one, but making money for the college and for the company that produced the test. More bureaucratic boondoggle!!!
    Kathryn

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gatepost productions21 February 2015 at 06:53

    Plenty of farms, horses everywhere. The wildlife is struggling at the moment: too much detail for too small a canvas!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Susan21 February 2015 at 12:14

    You live in a breathtakingly beautiful area, John! I am eagerly awaiting your horse paintings - I just love painting them so much.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gatepost productions21 February 2015 at 13:22

    I'm hiding from my painting at the moment ... it's more of a stampede than a painting

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rita Vaselli22 February 2015 at 13:04

    So charming and beautiful place to live and paint !!!

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)