Recently, I was creating a painting in the main border at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, when I was approached by photographer Chris Gorman who was filming the garden with a drone.
We got chatting and it turned out that Chris had been commissioned to create a film for the RHS showing Harlow Carr in its Autumn Glory . He asked me if I would like to appear in it, as the official Artist-in-Residence painting outside, ‘en plein air’. Filming took place with the drone hovering around me as I painted on an easel for about quarter of an hour. The noise of the drone sounded like an invasion of bluebottles.
Talk about being in the right place at the right time! Chris’s company is called Big Ladder photography and he is the Picture Editor for The Evening Standard. He has more than 30 years’ experience and his work has appeared in many major publications such as The Times and Daily Telegraph. If you would like to see his work, click https://www.bigladder.co.uk/about/. His portfolio is stunning and he has won several awards.
Chris contacted me to say I had made it ‘into the final cut’ and I was delighted to see the final film with myself painting away.
Here is the official RHS Garden Harlow Carr’s Film showing myself painting.
I was asked to create a special painting for the prestigious annual Berry’s Tennis Event by Martin Wicks, owner of Hazlewood Castle. This is a magnificent 12th-century castle hotel set in spectacular surroundings near York. As the Artist-in-Residence here, I have many
paintings displayed throughout the castle.
Spring presents the most amazing spectacle and in a short window early May, the Cherry Blossoms burst forth followed by the Bluebells and sometimes at the same time. I love being outside in the elements capturing these sights.
My background to painting outside stems from early childhood. No matter what the weather - I'll always try and paint outside of my studio to capture the subject matter be it animals, landscapes or as is often the case - a combination!
Anita Bowerman
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