Original artwork description:

“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?”
― Percy Bysshe Shelley *
I painted this one last spring just as the blossoms were starting to arrive.
It’s not often that I manage to get one down in a single session ‘all prima’, but I got it in a morning’s work this time, which is most satisfying. I normally produce my better work by commencing with a direct painting from life, but then take some time reconsidering and adjusting in the studio, but the only change made to this one was to crop some of the top off the image, which I think makes a more pleasing composition.
It is painted on hand-prepared archival paper, and measures 22.5 x 16.5 cm. I am offering it in mountboard.

*Just an amusing note on Mr Shelley the poet – he is one of the most respected English poets, but it’s kinda ironic that his wife, Mary Shelley, is more famous as a wordsmith. She wrote the blockbuster ‘Frankenstein’s Monster’ as part of a parlour game activity at Lord Byron’s residence. Byron, who was described by one female acquaintance as ‘mad, bad, and dangerous to know’, regularly held these kind of get-togethers for the idle rich to help the time pass.

Materials used:

oil paint

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