'None Dare Resist'
Tryfan,
Eryri/Snowdonia,
Cymru/Wales
March 2024
Acrylic on canvas board
33" x 23"
Why I chose this scene/subject:
So, it's on day one of The Dragon's Back Race and as we come off Pen Yr Ole wen, that's the view you get of Tryfan on the second section of day one. It's a popular mountain and a favourite view for walkers and runners. The mountain itself, is quite challenging. It feels like the first proper, truly rocky mountain on the race, with a real scramble up and it's quite awkward to find the path. It has a beautiful view down to Lynn Ogwen below. I came off Pen Yr Olwen full of beans and felt like I was flying.
I also went up Tryfan with my husband, as a recce before the race. We chose an barmy summer's evening and left the kids in the house. We tried our best to find the path up, but the 'path' off over the big, big boulders, was quite tricky. And then we got the most amazing sunset on our way back down.
At the top were Adam and Eve with a sheer drop behind, down the back of the mountain. It introduces the rocky terrain before going on to Crib Goch. It's a very distinct mountain and what one might imagine the mountains should look like on The Dragon's Back.
Why does it have this title?
It is entitled 'None Dare Resist'. The name refers to the irresistible rugged charm and lure of this mountain. It stands out and wants to be climbed but it is not without challenge and risk. We want to run and scramble and climb. We want to push and struggle and suffer. We want to achieve and conquer. The mountains wait for us and we are unable to resist.
I love film, literature and music and many of my pieces have names that are taken from or linked to these. In this case, the title is very fittingly taken from The Hobbit, in a speech by Smaug, the dragon under the mountain.
I kill where I wish and none dare resist. I laid low the warriors of old and their like is not in the world today. Then I was but young and tender. Now I am old and strong, strong, strong, Thief in the Shadows!' he gloated. 'My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!'
—J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
Why it makes my Top 10.
When preparing for the Dragons back and researching the route, there were some mountains/sections that I was intimidated by and wanted to recce before. This included Crib Goch and Tryfan. After the recce, having successfully negotiated these, they became the markers for me believing that I could overcome and succeed in entire The Dragons Back Race.
The painting itself? I think I painted it how I felt as I was coming down on day 1. I wanted to finish strongly, so I was trying to pace myself. It was a beautiful sunny day and I felt excited about the challenge ahead. The view gave me joy. I was really excited about a multi day staged race and the prospect of days in the mountains. The weather was super hot and roasting coming down to the checkpoint, with sunny blue skies and a brilliant September day. I wanted to reflect this in the brighter, joyful colours and the brushstrokes capturing the freedom and energy of the run.
Many thanks again for taking an interest in my ramblings here and in my artwork.
Next week, I will be sharing my thoughts on the sister to this painting, No.4 of the Top 10 'My Heart's Truth, Sung', Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon.
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