I was fortunate to spend the month of July at the Hosking Houses Trust in the village of Clifford Chambers, two miles south of Stratford Upon Avon.
I stayed in Church Cottage, a cosy place with William Morris wallpaper, a high bed and a roll-top bath in the bedroom. There was a small studio looking onto a tiny garden but mostly I worked outdoors, despite the intermittent rain. At the bottom of the lane was the River Stour which became my haven. I set up my easel in the moored rowing boat and painted the river, its reflections, trees and waterlilies. There was a magical and mysterious quality to the river which deeply attracted me; I swam in it, rowed in it, read about it and made friends with a lone swan.
Further afield, were the wonderful Hidcote and Kiftsgate Court Gardens. During the summer, these were full of colourful blooms set against architectural shrubs and paths. Hidcote was designed to be like a series of outdoor rooms, Kiftsgate was built on terraces with steep paths and dramatic views. I filled a large concertina sketchbook with many sketches in watercolour, ink and pencil.
Roaming around the Cotswolds, I visited Snowhill Manor, with its collection of artefacts, including an attic full of antique bicycles, Chastleton House with its huge Jacobean Hall, the villages of Broadway, Stow on the Wold and Chipping Camden and bridle paths that wended their way between fields. Further afield, I visited Oxford and researched some galleries.
I saw amazing art collections at Compton Verney, including a fabulous Emma Talbot exhibition, and at Upton House with a wonderful Tintoretto, recently restored, and a Raeburn to make me feel at home. The jewel in the crown of visits was possibly Coventry Cathedral with its incredible John Piper stained glass and Graham Sutherland tapestry – what a place.
Of course, there was Stratford, too, where I visited his birthplace and Anne Hathaway’s cottage and attended two very good plays. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to sketch during rehearsal which I had hoped to do.
The month passed quickly. My only complaint was that I was kept awake by the church bells ringing on the hour, including through the night. This seemed madness to me but the villagers are very proud of them. They asked me about bells in Scotland but I really don’t think the Scots would allow for this kind of sleep deprivation! I got round it by spending a few nights with friends and playing white noise all night on Spotify!
I came back with plenty of sketches and small oil paintings on board. These have already fed into some larger oil paintings, especially the strange magic of the River Stour.
Thanks to the Hosking Houses Trust for allowing me this opportunity as well as providing some funding and to the Hope Scott Trust for additional funding.
