Farming News – February 2023

Last Autumn I responded to a Facebook advert which was requesting Leeds based artists. I explained that I live about 50 miles away but gave details of my website and Facebook page. A few weeks later I received a call asking if they could send a cameraman to film me at work and whilst painting. This was arranged for a Friday, and shows me working at the farm then painting at Leyburn Mart. The resulting film was introduced by Gabby Logan and shown to 10,000 people at Headingley Stadium on 7 January at the opening ceremony of Leeds 2023 which is the city’s ‘Year of Culture’. This short film has now been added to my Facebook page.

Last Summer I went to Northern Ireland to paint, as a wildcard, in Landscape Artist of the year. This episode was transmitted at the end of January. The judges were very complementary but I didn’t win, although Joan Bakewell said ‘Obviously you are an extremely accomplished artist’. I can live with that.

The sheep started lambing in January and then stopped again. We have a total of six lambs from four sheep.