My Top 10 - No.1 'The Possibility of Tomorrow'

'The Possibility of Tomorrow'

Buttermere, The Lake District

2023

Acrylic on canvas board

24" x 20"

Why I chose this scene/subject:

This is a really beautiful and favourite view in the Lakes. It presents itself frequently on a common running route for me. The weather is invariably inclement and the valley and lake always look welcoming and safe. I see the colours of the bracken and heather change with the seasons and the skies are often moody and mysterious. It's been a favourite spot of mine for a long time but more recently, has also been on the 13 Valleys Ultra and Lakeland 100 routes although then often passed by moonlight.

Why I chose this title:

Reached in darkness, in the middle of the first night of 13 Valleys Ultra, it is still early in the race, the nerves have settled and I'm looking forward to the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead as we move into tomorrow. When I look out over this view or I look back again at the painting, I feel happiness, hope and positivity and those are the feelings that I want everyone else to experience through my art.

Why it's in my top 10:

This location holds lots of great memories from races and recces with friends and alone and from walks with my family. The scene has some of my favourite colours - usually seen in autumn/winter - reflecting the changing colours in nature and the often threatening skies above. Aside from the obvious beauty of this vista, as stated above, it feels familiar and safe, even in terrible conditions or when I'm struggling physically or emotionally during training or these races.

I loved painting it. As is often the case with the creative process, it took a while to get into it but there was a point where I felt the, often elusive and mythical, 'flow' when painting this piece.