| The river Adur in West Sussex |
It's early September and after just a few days of rain I'm amazed at how quickly everything is turning green again .
The heatwaves already feel like a long time ago instead of the few short weeks that it actually is . Autumn is creeping in , the days are rapidly shortening and the air is cooler .
This time last month I was sweltering in the heat whilst busy studying maps , trying to find interesting places for short walks . Walks without steep hills and with plenty areas of shade . Searching for new views to paint, new inspiration .
I spotted a path at Wineham in West Sussex . A mixture of bridleway, fields and river . I don't know the area which made me all the more curious .
The countryside all around was parched and scorched , I held no expectations of the river actually having much water in it let alone any living plant life .
| The extreme heat had left the ground scorched and cracked |
Imagine how delighted I was to discover that I was so wrong ! It was beautiful 😍
The Summer blue sky reflected on the lazy water whist the riverbank was a mass of wild plants and flowers . It was an oasis among a world of burnt beige . My photos really don't do it justice , it was one of those days where you had to be there and absorb the sights, sounds and aromas .
| Wild flowers and plants along the riverbank |
A quintessential English Summer day by the river and a total joy to paint .
"Riverside Summer "
"Riverside Summer" Painting of the river Adur in West Sussex