Yorkshire Life

A Grand Day Out

I painted this following a sunny Bank Holiday Sunday in May 2009. I sat for an hour or so overlooking Bridlington harbour on one of the benches and memorised the scene before me. Previous to that day, the weather had been pretty grim. At last the sun came out and it seemed everyone in Yorkshire had decided to visit Bridlington for the day for 'A Grand Day Out'.

Donkey Rides

We have a static caravan on the Yorkshire Coast and visit Scarborough frequently. As with all my Yorkshire Life series of paintings, I feel the need to capture what I see. It's good to know the good old British seaside holiday is alive and well and exists in Yorkshire.

When Did it start to go wrong?

I LOVE WATCHING MORRIS DANCERS. I WAS ONCE INVITED BY THE HORBURY GROUP TO HAVE A GO FOLLOWING ONE OF THEIR WEEKLY PRACTICE SESSIONS AT THE LOCAL PUB AND HAD AN AMAZING TIME. I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR THEIR ENERGY, CONCENTRATION AND DETERMINATION TO PUT ON A FAULTLESS SHOW, BUT COULDN'T RESIST TRYING TO CAPTURE A MOMENT WHEN THINGS DON'T GO ACCORDING TO PLAN AND THEY BEGIN TO DANCE COMPLETELY OUT OF SYNCH, HEADING OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THE PICTURE WAS PAINTED FROM PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AT THE KING'S ARMS, HEATH NR WAKEFIELD WHERE THEY PERFORM FOR CHARITY EACH NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Strawberry Fields

BASED ON STRAWBERRY FIELDS CAR BOOT SALE IN BRIDLINGTON, EAST YORKSHIRE. I PAINTED THIS FOLLOWING THE EASTER BANK HOLIDAY, 2009 AFTER RISKING LIFE AND LIMB TAKING PHOTOS AND GETTING STRANGE ENQUIRING LOOKS FROM PASSERS BY. MY DAUGHTER WHO WAS WITH ME AT THE TIME BREATHED A SIGH OF RELIEF WHEN I FINALLY HAD ENOUGH MATERIAL TO BASE MY PAINTING ON.

The Corner Shop

The corner shop - everyone should have one. Dok's shop is a busy little place. The characters in the picture are based on real people seen in the district daily.