Recent commission, a deconsecrated church in Helmsley, North Yorkshire.
St Aidan’s Church, Helmsley
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Some Recent Jazz Drawings
Thanks to Steve Hanley on drums, John Dyson on saxophone, Steve Crocker on double bass. This was a Rush Hour Jazz gig last month at SevenArts, Leeds.
Night Train
People at the Bar
They seemed to be having a good time. It’s a good bar.
Jazz Drawings
Trying to see the jazz music I’ve heard recently…
More Jazz Paintings
Great jazz in LS7. This is Denys Baptiste on saxophone, and Jon Scully on trumpet.
Jazz Paintings
Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Detour on the way home from a recent work trip. This is a great spot…
…and we had an ice cream. Just like the Victorians might’ve done.
The Alhambra Gardens
The Alhambra Gardens in Roundhay Park, Leeds. I have drawn here a few times over the last few years, this is my first painting. I’m pleased it has been accepted for an upcoming exhibition, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the park, open 16th July – 4th September 2022. More info here.
Happy Birthday, Bob Dylan
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Happy birthday, Bob Dylan. Thanks for all the great songs.
Rush Hour Jazz
Drawings from the recent Rush Hour Jazz gig at Seven Arts, Leeds. John Settle on vibes, Will Powell on guitar, José Canha on double bass, and Dom Moore on drums.
Coquet Island, Northumberland
Had a few days away at Amble, on the North-East coast.
Five minutes walk to the sea – how happy can you be?
The Mersey Gateway
Opened in 2017, the Mersey Gateway Bridge spans the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal between Widnes and Runcorn. The new bridge is as mesmerising to me as the old Silver Jubilee Bridge was when I was a kid.
Nikki Iles Jazz Orchestra
Some drawings from the recent gig by Nikki Iles and her amazing 20 piece Jazz Orchestra. At Seven Arts, Leeds 7.
World On Our Doorstep III
Three of the amazing performances at World On Our Doorstep festival in Leeds recently. Here is Panjumby, Des Hurley and Friends, and Claudio Kron.
World On Our Doorstep II
More drawings from the World On Our Doorstep Festival at Seven Arts in Leeds last month. Here is Ali Bullivent, Paula Ryan, and Satnam Rathore.
World On Our Doorstep
A recent festival of local music from around the world. Appearing here – Manouche à Trois, Sugarwell Hill, and The Bhangra Duet.
Rosebed
In my local park, LS7.
View from the M56, Helsby Hill
A painting from memory.
Helsby Hill overlooks Frodsham Marshes and the River Mersey. Welsh hills in the distance.
Stormcloud Over Norfolk Gardens
This afternoon, about 4 o’clock. Walking home, I was hailed and rained on.
Pandemic Landscape
Painted yesterday – with brush, and direct from the tube.
Eastertide
Daffodils
Spring is on the way, thankfully, and the daffodils are blooming.
I painted these ones a couple of weeks ago.
The daffodil is the national flower of Wales, and today is Saint David’s Day.
Saint David is the patron saint of Wales.
Shibden Valley, Looking South
The footpath heading south from Corporal Lane, Queensbury, BD13.
Shibden was formerly spelt Schepedene – the sheep vale.
It’s high up and my brother lives nearby. We joke about how it’s always 10° colder there than in Leeds – even though he’s only 20 miles away…
Snow and No School
Despite the ongoing difficulties, people of various ages have
been out enjoying the snow.
Or in my case, watching people of various ages enjoying the snow…
This was last Friday afternoon, in Chapel Allerton Park, LS7.
And it was a beautiful day.
Still Life with Witch Hazel
New paintings for a new year…
Witch hazel is said to have various healing properties – something
we could all do with right now.
After Mystic Nativity
After ‘Mystic Nativity‘, a painting from 1500 by Sandro Botticelli.
The Mystic Nativity is said to depict the end of the world, even though the main theme is one of peace. Happy Christmas, one and all.
Under Lockdown Skies
This second lockdown is hard.
The longest month in history? – and still 12 days to go.
Foggy November
Yesterday afternoon in Chapel Allerton Park, Leeds, LS7.
Self Portrait 2020 – Coronavirus
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Catching a Pike
A fishing memory… from 1972, summer holiday on Lake Windermere.
It bent the rod double – nobody thought I could hold it…
Woke up recently with this in my head.
I asked dad about it, and he sent me the slide below…
We gave the pike to the girls on the next boat,
and they cooked it for their tea.
Top of the Bottom of the Street
I came home and looked up.
I was inspired, despite the present difficulties.
Rainbows – Thank You NHS!
This is on the back road to Otley.
One of the millions of rainbows that have appeared in recent months.
The 8pm clapping finished last week – but we are still thankful –
Thank you NHS and thank you NHS workers.
And thanks to the artists at East Breary Farm too…
Hospital Team – Thank You NHS!
The National Health Service was set up in 1948 to provide medical care free
at point-of-need to all Britons, regardless of wealth.
The instigator of the NHS was Welsh Labour Party MP, Aneurin Bevan, the son of a coal miner. He left school at 13 and worked as a miner during his teens where he became involved in local union politics.
Nye Bevan
Thank you Nye and thank you NHS!
Plague of Locusts
Locusts like damp conditions to lay eggs. Heavier rain than usual has caused a boom in the locust population. The swarms are devastating crops across East Africa and the Middle East, threatening the food supplies and livelihoods of millions of people.
Use of pesticides is the only way of controlling the locust outbreak, but current flight restrictions due to coronavirus are impeding supplies to the region.
Leaving the Co-op
Waxing moon and Venus.
Leaving the Pub
Not the only one leaving.
View from the M56
View from the M56.
Driving by Frodsham marshes,
Stanlow Oil Refinery in the distance.
House Portrait #58
A recent commission was to draw this house in Chapel Allerton, Leeds.
It was built 200 years ago, in 1820 – the same year that Anne Brontë was born and HMS Beagle first launched.
Anne Brontë
HMS Beagle in the Strait of Magellan
Click here to find out more about my House Portraits.
Australia Burning
Australian bushfires in New South Wales. How long before it’s Wales, UK? When will business giants, fuel companies and world leaders do the right thing?
Spencer Place in the Rain
It’s four in the afternoon, the end of December
I’m painting this now just to make me feel better
North Leeds is cold, but I like where I’m living
There’s music on Francis Street all through the evening…
Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
Drawn in about 3°C last weekend. To the north, St Mary’s Lighthouse and wind turbines. Looking south, Cypriot registered cargo ship, Imavere, at anchor.
Burbo Bank, Liverpool Bay
Another view of the offshore wind farm project on the Burbo Flats in Liverpool Bay, at the entrance to the River Mersey. The site was extended in 2017 and there are now a total of 57 turbines.
Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm
Burbo Bank Wind Farm is situated in Liverpool Bay, a few kilometers from the coast. This is the view from Crosby beach – tide half in, half out.
Emley Moor Transmitters
Repairs are currently being undertaken at Emley Moor transmitting station near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, and there is a temporary mast alongside the 1971 concrete construction.
This is the tallest freestanding structure in the UK (1,084ft). Also a Grade II listed building.
The antennas broadcast digital radio and TV across the North of England – reaching Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York, and even Manchester, across the Pennines.
It takes 7 minutes in the lift to get to the top – I hope to take that ride one day.
Wind Turbines
Woke up with this in my mind’s eye a couple of weeks ago. Not surprising – turbines are on the increase!
Below is a view from East Leeds, looking West – turbines are part of the landscape, near and far. You can also see the new Recycling and Energy Recovery Facility (RERF) building in LS9.
Still Life with Tulips
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Roundabout A61-A658
A painting from memory, this roundabout is near Pannal, just over the border in North Yorkshire. These roads lead to Harrogate, Knaresborough, Leeds and Otley.
My Street II
Another view from the living room window. This may also be the first and only painting of my Celica. It was consigned to scrapyard the following week.
I Was In the House When the House Burned Down
…I may be old and I may be bent
But I had the money till it all got spent
I had the money till they made me pay
Then I had the sense to be on my way
I had to stay in the underground
I was in the house when the house burned down…
Jo Dunn 