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Grey Street, Snow Flurry

by on October 19, 2011 in Latest News

Grey Street, Snow Flurry

Grey Street, Snow Flurry

I’m just preparing for my Christmas Exhibition. The preview weekend starts on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November where there will be a selection of new original paintings on display, most of which have been inspired by recent trips overseas over the last 12 months. It’s been an eventful year for Susan and I, with us both travelling to the Middle East and Italy and my television appearance on the BBC’s “Show me the Monet” with my watercolour of “Grey Street, Saturday Morning”.

Travel always gives me a deeper appreciation of home here in Northumberland, so there will of course, be several scenes of the North East, including the one above of Grey Street, Newcastle seen in a snow flurry.

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Plein Air

by on August 26, 2011 in Painting on Location

Cheviot

In 2009 I climbed Hedgehope, the second tallest of the Cheviot hills, for the first time. It was a cold, wet, windy dull day but I couldn’t resist tackling a quick sketchbook study of Cheviot. A year later, on a bright, sunny day with no wind I climbed Cheviot, struggling through snow that was so deep it covered the tops of the fence posts!

On a clear day, I often gaze at the Cheviots when out walking my German Shepherd near our home in Ponteland and remember my walks there. If you haven’t ventured into this part of Northumberland’s National Park, then drive to the Breamish Valley and spend some time exploring. You won’t be disappointed.

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British Open, Royal St George’s

by on July 30, 2011 in Favourite Artists, Limited Edition Prints

KEN REED - ROYAL ST GEORGES

KEN REED - ROYAL ST GEORGES

Kenneth Reed, whose paintings have been commissioned by such golfing greats as Gary Player, Bob Charles, Greg Norman and Tom Weiskopf, and whose clients include the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and the United States Golf Association, is widely acclaimed as one of the finest international golf artists. Because he’s also my dad, I’d have to say that he is the finest golf artist!

Born in Hexham, Northumberland, my dad has been creating the evocative paintings of golf courses landscapes since 1972. His works grace the walls of many historic clubhouses and are owned by discerning golf art collectors throughout the world.

His most recent work is an original gouache poster featuring Henry Cotton playing the 8th hole in the 2nd round of the 1934 open at Royal St George’s. He won the Championship and his record round of 65 gave name to a famous golf ball the Dunlop 65.

The poster has been reproduced as a limited edition print for the 2011 British Open held at Royal St George’s earlier in July and is signed and numbered. It is available online from alanreed.com.

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Linhope Spout

by on May 2, 2011 in Commissions

You may recall a post earlier this month about a commission I am working on to paint a scene in the Ingram Valley. On Saturday evening I decided to take advantage of the clear blue skies and return to capture the lower evening sunlight.

The drive along the A697 was beautiful and once we took the turn for Ingram just north of Powburn, the drive became even more picturesque as we followed the river Breamish cutting its way through the valley.

Susan and our grand daughter Emily came with me as they both wanted to see the lambs on route which looked so cute skipping and jumping about. I had decided to paint Linhope Spout, a 60 foot chute of water that cascades into a plunge pool. It’s a popular spot for picnics as it’s only a 3 mile round walk. I parked my car opposite Hartside Farm and took the private road lined with rhododendrons towards the well signposted track for Linhope Spout.

Northumberland is renowned for its wide open moorland which occupies 70% of its National Park. This short walk allows you to get a tiny sample of the stunning scenery. In the distance one can see the domed 715 meter high Hedgehope Hill, the second largest of the Cheviot hills and as the path skirts some woodland, you can sometimes see red squirrels nibbling Scots Pine cones.

I jogged most of the route so it didn’t take long before I was able to cross the stream bubbling from the plunge pool over the slippery stones to sit on the grassy bank to do a sketchbook study looking into the evening sunlight.

I had to work quickly as the scene was in shadow and the sun was disappearing behind the hills but I was able to capture what I wanted. On the way back I stopped to photograph the River Breamish again, looking towards Ingram, a view which could also make an attractive painting.

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