Rustic Buildings & Barns Book

 I have selected just a small collection of the paintings from my new book, this book contains over 100 paintings and every picture has a story to tell. When choosing a subject to paint for such a book you are often drawn to places that have memories or a scene that has a story to tell.  I love travelling around the country (well, not so much the travelling, but actually visiting different areas) and I try and take the opportunity to scout for suitable painting subjects wherever I go. When I am out and about, I find myself not just looking at a scene but looking at a potential painting.

The Index Page Barn Page 128 This little over-run barn features on the last page of the book, but in fact it was one of the first paintings I produced for the book. Its in a place called Shackleford which is near The Hogs back in Surrey. Its one of the last remaining barns in the area that hasnt been converted.	After The Harvest Page 100 This cluster of barns and out-buildings near Sullington in Sussex were built in the 1600s and are the oldest of their kind in this area. Most of the buildings have been converted into Holiday Lets, so it was quite easy for me to photograph the farmstead without being chased off by a farmer. If you are ever in a situation where you are confronted with an irate land owner, never hesitate to appologise and beat a hasty retreat.	The Rusting Wheelbarrow Page 79 This Grand old barn is part of a farm called Rooks Farm which is near Rotherwick in Hampshire. I have done many paintings of this farm from different angles, it is on a public footpath so access was easy. The porch doorway has its own raised platform so carts can easily be loaded and unloaded.
After the Harvest Page 100 Situated just off the A3 in Surrey is a typical Surrey barn in a village called Upper Eashing near Godalming. I used to exhibit in the Godalming Gallery years ago, the Gallery was run by Andrew and Donna and the tenuous link here is that Donna is Alwyn Crawshaws daughter. A well known Artist in her own right.	Swifts Barn Page 108 Swifts Barn, Stanton near Broadway is where I currently live and where my studio is. Only part of the threshing barn has been converted, so we live in the middle bit where the doors used to be. The threshing floor area is where Fiona paints and my work space is on a balcony above Fiona's studio, very cosy! By the way, we don't have chickens.	Mountain Valley Barn Page 107 The farmhouse and barn are actually in The Lake District, along a boring suburban road and I have taken the opportunity to transport them into a rugged mountain setting.
Amberley Cottage Page 46   One of my favourite paintings from the book, this idylic cottage is amongst many idylic cottages all crammed into one village, Amberley. If you ever get a chance to visit, please take your sketchbook or a camera, this is a chocolate box feast.	The Village Gosips Page 14 Just south of Andover near Upper Clatford (lovely name) this little row of Cottages overlooks open meadows and a stream which is renown for its trout fishing. This really is a little slice of idylic countryside. The two girls chating in the lane remind me of my daughters when they were younger, though they did not dress quite like these two.	Dartmoor Hideaway Page 47 What I like about this painting is not so much the cottage but the fabulous stone wall, isnt it funny how your doing a painting of a cottage but the best bit is in front of your eyes? I found this charming place whilst looking for barns on Dartmoor after Fiona had done a demo at Peter Tavy. We photographed the geese at Two Bridges which we both used in our books. (page 90)