Grandad Chapple

This is a photograph of me with my Grandad, Bill, taken on my wedding day, just over 7 years ago. This week, I traveled to Exeter for his funeral ceremony and a thanksgiving service. It was a few days of mixed emotions - sad that a dear family member had passed away but joyful in gathering with other members of his family and friends to celebrate a life which he lived to the full.

An architect by profession, he was an extremely gifted craftsman and artist. I certainly admired him and was influenced by him in my decision to study architecture at Liverpool. Bill has to take a great deal of credit for my current work as a watercolour artist. Each time I visited his home I would spend a great deal of time taking in his artwork which was displayed on the walls and carefully listen to him as he explained about the latest paintings that he was working on. I would often go into his studio on my own and look at all his artists equipment - paints, brushes, sketchbooks, paper and pencils. I can still remember that distinctive smell of the paints filling the air.

 I will always remember the set of watercolour paints and brushes that he bought me as a gift one birthday - that was the start of my passion for painting. I always wanted to go and paint on-location with Grandad but unfortunately I never got the chance. At the services this week it was clear from the words spoken about him that he was a man who knew where he was going after his passing and I like to think that where he is now, there are some pretty awesome landscapes to paint. Maybe I'll get my chance to paint with him one day after all.

Torquay

An unexpected flying visit to Torquay. The English Riviera. One evening, went for a walk along the harbor. Visibility was down to about 25metres due to the fog, that's right, in the middle of June! What did I see, a group of middle aged folks dressed in all the garb - morris dancing. Classic sight, amongst the bemused on-looking tourists.

Reviewing the last 30 days or so

My travels over the last month have led me to some interesting places including Castle Howard and Malton in North Yorkshire, Saffron Walden and Clavering in Essex and Barwick in Elmet and Bardsey between Leeds and Harrogate. Not to mention a flying family visit down to Exeter and Bristol!

A typical scene from the Yorkshire Dales. Taken from Thornton in Craven, just outside Skipton. As a keen landscape painter,  I could quite happily spend the rest of my life painting scenes like this one from the Yorkshire Dales. Beautiful.

 Taken after a days promotional touring in Bardsey, Leeds.

Another scene from Bardsey - quintessential Englishness!

This was a shop in Bardsey. I thought the text on this sign was fantastic. "Sweets & Tobacco Groceries & Provisions" PROVISIONS! Now that is a word that I would like to see on more signs these days. very under-used!

During a tour of Cambridgeshire, I came across this art gallery. It is a dream of mine to have my own gallery like this one day - I want a sign outside it just like this one.


One more thing. I watched something on Sunday evening which impacted me in a big way. It was the documentary about Gary Barlow putting together the song to celebrate the Queens Diamond Jubilee. One of the performers on the record was this African guy who was part of a band that played percussion out if scraps of rubbish. He was blind but when he played his instrument, that didn't seem to matter - he had such a passion for this music that he got totally lost in it. He said one thing which I will remember, "It doesn't matter what difficulties you face, you have to keep your head up and stay focussed on what you want to do."

The tour continues in Cambridgshire

Friday 11th - Saturday 12th May
Captured some great images during this two day tour.

The first village on my visit was a small village called Hinxton, half way between Cambridge and Saffron Walden. Loved the sign on the village hall.

Ickleton is about 1/2 a mile away from Hinxton. I saw this sign which was crying out to be photographed - it's a classic. simple.

In Balsham, near the Black Bull Pub (highly recommeded) is a little butchers with this sign out side, what's not to like?

Trumpington is a small area just south of Cambridge, I saw the way the afternoon sun struck this church. Magnificent.

About one hour after the previous photo was taken, I saw this view in Grantchester, a mile up the road. It was one of those days where the clouds are perfectly formed in the sky to create that picture perfect look. Look at the way this shot exaggerates the contrast between the highlights and shadows. I expect to work this up into an original watercolour in the near future.

Harrogate

The railway bridge in Knaresborough

This photograph was the instagram version of one that I took in Knaresborough. This waterside spot would be a great place to paint on location.

This image may be used in my 'signs' project

Another contender for the vintage signs project

This was taken near the centre of Harrogate

Not Knaresborough or Harrogate - Bingley in fact.

Piece Hall

Piece Hall, Halifax.

Saturday 21st April 2012. I've been planning a series of paintings of the Piece Hall in Halifax. Today, I was looking after the kids all day while Mrs Chapple went to Sheffield, so I took the opportunity to lead a little field trip down to the Piece Hall to take some photographs.

For Heavens Cake

Some of the units are occupied by various businesses. This one is a Cake Shop which is AMAZING - I know from experience! This is the kind of image that would work well as a watercolour. Everything works so well from the vintage style sign to the street furniture to the architecture of the building. The only way it could be improved, is to take the photograph early in the morning to get the direct sunlight.

 

I love the symmetry of this photo. Capturing the direct sunlight makes this image work so well. The contrast of the light and shade is a great effect that emphasizes the architectural style. 

 

This is another great image which really captures the architectural style. The shadows cast by the sunlight makes this image for me. I would remove the shadows cast by the bunting.

 

I like the way the sun casts a shadow, creating that sharp line that runs diagonally. The lady sitting outside the cake shop adds interest and I would remove the bunting.

 

This is another individual shop that I think would work well as a watercolour. Similar to the cake shop, this frontage just looks so inviting.

North Yorkshire

Have been exploring the area around Skipton in North Yorkshire over the past couple of weeks. It is unquestionably a beautiful part of the country and I hope to spending a lot more time there in the coming months.

I have an idea. I was struck by the number of vintage/old fashioned style signs/shops etc that exist in the many villages around Skipton in the Dales. These things I am convinced, will make for excellent subject matter. I think they are visually outstanding. This ties in with looking for a suitable subject matter to paint and exhibit at craft fairs and festivals in the Yorkshire Dales. I need to come up with half a dozen images based on this vintage sign/shop frontage theme. I'm going to be busy...