Sunrays and Snow, Barn Hill, Stamford


Sunrays and Snow, Barn Hill, Stamford. 12x16in oil on board. Painted en plein air by Stamford Artist Nick Grove.

I remember creating this painting as if it were yesterday. Such a magical morning and time in my life. To be ‘out and about’ once again in Stamford, where I had moved just a few years previously, was a joy, even on cold, snowy mornings. I must have been keen!

It was among these Georgian streets that I learnt to paint en plein air. I’d been simultaneously exploring the town and discovered the picturesque Barn Hill—a steep street in the heart of Stamford that leads only to a few private houses. There is next to no traffic here, so it feels especially like you’ve rolled back the years.

It had snowed again over night, and I was out at first light painting. I headed straight to this spot, having planned it all out. It was so peaceful at that time of day—very quiet indeed. It was cold; however, the sun would be up shortly, and I had coffee to warm me up. I took a break after I’d mapped out and blocked in the painting before starting the next layer. Due to the temperature, I soon got on with the next layer anyway. Working from left to right so as to not smudge my work.

There was more activity on the streets now as people headed to their workplaces. I chatted to a few and received the usual positive and encouraging comments. As the sun rose further, I began to feel its heat. After another 45 minutes, I called it time. My fingers were suffering terribly. I used to wear fingerless gloves back then so I could feel the brush, but since then I’ve learnt that mittens, each stuffed with a heat pack, work perfectly.

12x16in
Oil on canvas
Framed

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