After a week of wild stormy weather and change, today brought a thick frost and some welcome sunshine. A clear sky meant I woke this morning to the most spectacular dawn and a clarity of light that autumn and winter bring. Long shadows and a busy garden full of birds.
It was uncannily still last night. I live in a windy spot and the noise created by the wind is a constant soundscape to my life, so when it stops the silence is deafening. I lay in bed last night aware of the world turning, where the moon shone through the windows, and the passing of time. I often have fitful sleep when it’s this still at home; partly its unfamiliar and partly anticipation of a day of good weather ahead.
It’s a day of reflections, the light so bright that the bare winter trees are reflected in the puddles remaining from the storm. A swan feeds on the river and the mountains are reflected in its stillness as the sun rises behind. In the other direction the bracken covered hill is bathed in red as the sun rises, such a rich colour against the ever deepening blue sky. Light, dark, shadows and sunbursts, dew tipped grass, a truly beautiful day.
It is also a day for reflecting on politics. Bonfire Night commemorates political unrest. Today the results from the U.S elections are nearly in, England goes into a 4 week lockdown, and still the sun comes up, the world turns and the wildlife in the garden is oblivious to Radio 4’s narrative.
I’ve been reflecting on why I paint. What is it that drives me? Some words come to mind: wonder, awe, fascination, change, eternal, sharing, and the need to somehow express the beauty, the drama and how I feel as part of this cycle and circle . I’ve spent the majority of my working life outside in Snowdonia: on a mountain, in a boat, on a lake or river, in a gorge, on a beach or in forests. Sometimes there are moments that have just taken my breath away, silenced in awe.
I hope to express some of this in my painting. My friend Rosey’s mum an artist, when told she had the talent to paint would respond that the only talent she’d been given was her desire to create, to paint. I can relate to that..
So I’m off out on my bike for a quick spin and to take some photos as reference. I will paint later today, reflected light, shadows ….
Nuala Dunn Artist 