Apples of gold under silvery snow

We have had much snow here, and I was curious to see how the little tree with the apples of gold was faring. ( See post 'Autumn ends with apples of gold'). Camera in waterproof wrap, I set off through the night blizzard.

The scene was transformed from russets and golds to silver, mauve and deep blue! And though it's branches were bowed under the weight of the snow, the tree still seemed to shine with an inner light. The snow stopped falling and all was still.

Painting in Progress!

Here's the promised update on the blank piece of paper! This is how the painting looks today. There is still quite a lot of work to be done on it, particularly in the distant Cleveland Hills, and the foreground and trees details.



The above photo shows the painting yesterday. I usually work the sky first, particularly with watercolour, which is the medium I'm using here. Sometimes I draw the composition in with pencil first, but with this painting I started immediately with the paint.

My aim is to express the exhilaration and sense of wonder the landscape stirs in me, and to celebrate this special place with it's dramatic skies and unique atmosphere.

You can view further paintings of this beautiful area of North East England landscape at my Grey Towers Art site.

North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre, Grey Towers paintings, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, Cleveland.

A Blank Canvas - (or in this case, paper)!

Unlike many of my fellow-artist-friends, I LOVE a blank canvas or sheet of paper!

It's that excitement and anticipation of making the first mark, which may be premeditated after many sketches, or just joyous spontaneity.

This piece of work will be based on the landscape around Grey Towers which featured in my blogpost of November 12th. I'll be posting as it develops ...

North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre, Durham North East England UK. English Landscape Painter, English Landscape Painting, English Romantic Landscape Paintings, Fine Art commissions paintings for sale.

Autumn ends with apples of gold

Has today been the end of our Autumn? A chilly dawn revealed frost, and all around the country people have been saying that Winter is here. But what a glorious finale to the season!

Under cloudless skies, the woods shimmered with the last of the leaves and a profusion of berries.

Secretive paths seemed to beckon, leading beyond screens of twigs to the heart of the woods.



And there I found a beautiful tree, celebrating Autumn with apples of gold.

Influenced by the love of English Romantic Landscape Paintings and the English Romantic Landscape!

North East artist Ingrid Sylvestre Durham artist North East art for sale

Ingrid Sylvestre

Wild Winds and Dancing Light

The gale force winds and lashing rain early on Thursday morning may not have seemed ideal conditions for a walk, but what exhilaration and inspiration lay ahead!


This wonderful walk begins down Grey Towers Farm Lane, where emerging into wide fields, one sees the distinctive edge of Poole Wood with it's curved trees. Today it is topped with grey scudding clourds and seems both dark and luminous.



Further along, a rainbow rises above the historic Grey Towers mansion.



The track curves round the edge of Jubilee Plantation, where the wind flurries bring rich scents of ploughed earth.


Storm clouds gather over the distant Cleveland Hills, and the young crops shimmer bright green.



A sudden mellowing of the light, and a farm leads the eye between autumn trees.


Ahead, the cottages of Old Nunthorpe village nestle snugly, as clouds race across the ever-changing sky.

A very special walk.