Autumn/winter 2019

The final few months of the residency found me focusing on visiting some iconic places around Newmarket before the winter.

So my last visit was timed to coincide with the Book One Sales at Tattersalls and also to take a long overdue tour of The National Stud.

Tattersalls: Autumn Sales

This is such an iconic and historic part of the Newmarket scene. The buzz of the sale room and at the Autumn Book 1 Sales, there was quite a crowd and as ever, some very fine  yearlings coming up for sale.

The saleroom itself is most striking architecturally, the beautifully lit interior, with the  oval shaped parade ring, tiered viewing seats and beautiful domed ceiling and enormous art deco style lamp hanging over the ring. I sat amongst the spectators, sketching and observing for hours, watching horse after horse come and go, with the auctioneers fast rapping patter to accompany each one. It became hypnotic after a while. A change in atmosphere and extra buzz grew as two horses in particular fetched record sums. Such a thrilling event to witness. Lot 288, the brother of Golden Horn, fetched 3 million guineas, and Lot 295,  a chestnut son of Galileo also reached a huge figure.

You could have heard a pin drop as the bidding increased. And i look forward to seeing those young horses racing in the not too distant future. So exciting to have been at Tattersalls on that day.

My numerous  sketches are going to be used as reference for a painting of the sale room interior, which will be part of the residency portfolio.

Tour of The National Stud

This was a lovely trip on my final day.  Such an interesting tour, fascinating history and with stunning stable yard complexes, not to mention the stallions. Mares and foals. Well worth a visit. And somewhere I would love to return to with my sketchbooks in the future. The  Photos below show one of the many stable buildings, a young foal, and a wonderful sculpture of the legendary Mill Reef, created by John Skeaping, one of my favourite artists.

Christmas Card design for The BRS

I am delighted that the British Racing School have selected one of my watercolour paintings, showing a group of their students returning from their gallops, as their Christmas card image for this year.

THE EXHIBITION IN MAY 2020 

The paintings, drawings and sketches from the two year residency at Newmarket will be featured in a large solo exhibition  of my equestrian paintings booked in Spring, 2020. I look forward to seeing my works displayed together as a whole project and to welcoming you at the private view.  Date for the PV evening  to be confirmed. And invitations will be sent out in due course.

Gallery venue: 

D Contemporary

23 Grafton St

Mayfair

London W1S 4EY

Exhibition Dates:

May 21st to June 4th.

Monday to Saturday 11am  – 5pm.

Details on the gallery website.

RESIDENCY SUMMARY AND A HUGE THANK YOU!

It is hard to believe how  quickly my two years as Artist in Residence has passed.

It has been an amazing experience, both educational and inspirational.

I would like to thank The British Racing School and in particular, Andrew Braithwaite, for inviting me to explore and paint the flat racing scene at Newmarket and at the school itself.

The whole team at the school made me very welcome and were supportive of the project, helping out with the workshops I ran, setting up picture displays and generally making me feel at home.

It has been an education for me to observe the fantastic work they do with the young students who study there and watch them in training and then go on to achieve work placements in the racing industry, and in some cases their jockey licences.

I would also like to thank Nick Patton and Amy Stennett of The Jockey Club estates for kindly taking the time to show me round the estate initially and granting access to sketch at the gallops. Those early mornings up on Warren Hill and by Cambridge Rd were the foundation of many a  painting and a great start to the day.

Sophie Able was enormously helpful in arranging special access for sketching at the Rowley Mile and July Course racecourses.

Sir Mark Prescott generously gave me his time and access to his yard at Heath House and some great breakfasts too! With many happy mornings spent observing Sir Marks horses out on Warren Hill and after morning excessive, seeing them relaxing in the woods, a magical experience.

James Fanshawe and his team were fantastic, also in giving me access to the iconic Pegasus Stables. Happy mornings of sketching ensued there , adding an architectural interest to my portfolio.

It has altogether been the experience of a lifetime.

THANK YOU ALL.