North Yorkshire Country UK

North Yorkshire Country UK Original Oil on Stretched Belgian Linen 95cm x 65cm by John McCartin

John’s Inspiration: I was sponsored in 2016 to travel to the UK to paint the picturesque region. I have tried to retrace the steps to give its exact location and exact reference point, however it is now 7 years since we travelled and I was inspired to paint the scene on my camera of which I  only have the date, so I have included inventory for the diary for that day.

“Tuesday 10^th May (2016) –  Driving through the Esk Valley towards Grosmont…just past the 1/2 way house on the right were some Highland cows. Light perfect…sort of sunny weather….odd wispy clouds…high cloud…then blue sky. Travelled along to Grosmont, then headed towards Rosedale Abby. Surprise, surprise… Pullet Surprise to be exact!! Friendly chooks decided to follow us and anyone they could possibly find. There was an elderly couple very well dressed…prim & proper….and, one of the chooks…unbeknownst to the couple….jumped up onto the bar under the table. It looked sooo funny! Then one of the chooks decided to jump onto our table and have a drink from John’s coffee cup. What a treat! We just couldn’t stop laughing. Got some good shots. “Tea for Two”. Apparently the chooks were from the schoolyard. Ten children in the school, but more chooks than teachers! We were about to go on our journey when on the corner a farm had some sheep and chooks. Wyandotte we think…here’s hoping! So on our journey we go heading towards Helmsley. Stopped for a bite of lunch at the Black Swann Inn. Then headed towards some rivers John thought there might be a good subject there, but didn’t hit the spot. So…we changed our minds & head back to Helmsley and on towards Rievaulx where all creatures Great & Small was filmed. Perfect for photographs for the future however we were very tired…6pm…so John decided not to paint plein air today after all. Home and ready to tumble into bed by 7.30pm”.

John McCartin was born in Sydney on March 9th 1954, and showed remarkable drawing ability at a young age and felt strangely attracted to the Australian landscape.  Painting as a hobby since 1974, John has now taken on landscape painting more seriously and on a professional basis since 1991.   He has been influenced greatly by artists such as Hans Heysen, Elioth Gruner and Arthur Streeton whose unpretentious works have inspired him over many years. In 2011 John won International Artist Magazines prestigious first prize, making him ‘Best artist in the world’.  It was a complete surprise to a humble John, yet a reward for the incredible artworks he produces.  As part of his prize, John was given the opportunity to travel and paint through the English countryside & through areas of Europe.  His six-week study tour created some amazing paintings, of which this is one.  John who lives in South Australia travels widely to capture his subjects, always making sketches and studies as he travels.  He has been described by many of Australia’s leading artists as one of the most talented artists in Australia and now the world agrees! He has currently won 106 international art awards.