I get so excited when Spring arrives and the Stray comes to life. First the crocuses, and then the beautiful cherry blossom trees come into full bloom.
For two weeks, between the icy cold winds coming from the Arctic, I ventured to the Stray and set up my equipment. As a Yorkshire artist based in Harrogate, I am absolutely drawn to these iconic cherry blossom trees, reminiscent of the trees you see in the Far East. There are two walkways on the Stray and each one is lined with many of these trees which form impressive archways. The pink blossom in all its shades is simply breath-taking and as an artist in love with colour it is a joy to behold.
I was lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time when Simon Hulme, photographer for the Yorkshire Post passed me as I was painting. I had met him recently as he took the photos for the interior shots of our house for the Yorkshire Post. I was the only artist on the Stray and he loved the painting I was creating and the fact I had Poppy my Sheepdog with me. So I balanced my pictures on the paste table I was using and Simon took a great shot which subsequently appeared in the Yorkshire Post on Wednesday 19 April. Apparently, I was knocked off the front cover as Theresa May called the election that day!
It has been a fabulous two weeks and I have painted 5 canvases with acrylic paint just using a twig.
Anita Bowerman
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