Standing on Oglet Foreshore

The week before Christmas, was I really going to paint? To be sure, my reason for yes was to personalise a card for my partner by playing with the original image (pattern paint for cards). This became something else entirely; my partner doesn't get angry often but this is how she might look. Thankfully, I also had in mind an image I'd taken at the weekend on my camera on a visit to Oglet, which is an area of shoreline and fields on the banks of the river Mersey, south of Liverpool. At least, it is for the moment. There are plans, I think, with the Secretary of State for approval to build an additional runway for commercial flights only at John Lennon International airport. The area is important for local and regional bird and wildlife, as well as a feeding stop-over for more seabirds and waders. Goodness only knows what will happen to them. At least, people living in the nearby suburb of Speke in Liverpool and Hale village in Cheshire can move somewhere else. Where will the birds go? During the last two years, facing up to covid, I have come to appreciate the benefits of birds and animals and my own place in nature. Breathe... 

​

Still, I was excited about setting up to paint the scene of late afternoon sunlight, shining towards Oglet from the far bank of the Wirral and Cheshire, the Welsh hills in the distance. I noticed that I wasn't much bothered with how it turned out. I just wanted to paint and enjoy it. To be fair, I did feel a tremour of doubt for one moment. What if I fail, if I'm judged, put down? I pushed the idea away and carried on, finishing little over an hour later. A record! The first progress shot, showing the yellow light shining, was the finished painting. Yet, while I looked at it, I wanted to add an orange-red tint to the yellow. It seemed more realistic...but would I spoil the whole thing? It really didn't matter. Give it a go to find out. I think I made the right decision.

​

The yellow grounding shines out beneath the other layers of paint. It is stunning! I love the effects, back-lit gloriously by the sunshine through the living room window. Funny thing is, I think I can see how I can also create the impression of great burning fires, like oil wells burning uncapped! I was reading recently about the Kuwaiti oil fields, which still haven't been cleared 30 years after Iraq invaded, leading to the first Gulf War. The warm, golden sunlight in the sky and across the water could easily be fire. The dark clouds in the late aftrnoon sky might be poisonous smoke from the flames. Imagination is a wonderful gift.

​

One of my friends commented how much I had learned in my art class. Save that the last art class I attended by Zoom, because of covid, was a portrait class, which ended last spring. I have painted this and similar scenes several times. They look much the same to me. So, have I learned much, as she sees? I wish I could join an art class. It would be good to have the help of an experienced tutor as well as sharing work with fellow class members, enjoying the camararderie. I look forward to the time when I can. For now, I am just doing it. Yellow background..? Yeah, that's good. Cobalt blue and deep violet, yeah! Orange tints..? Has to be! It doesn't really matter how it turns out. I didn't hear that loud, critical voice, telling me I'm rubbish. I was caught up in the simple delights of trying to paint, excited to see what emerges. Maybe, it was too!