Artist Code 1902. “Incubation Calls” (Moorhen, nest and eggs). Completed 25th February 2019. Original water colour. 9″ x 12″, Aquarelle Arches acid free heavyweight 140lbs.
This picture is the result of a wonderful trip to my sister’s house in Spain, Cortijo Guarda, Turré, near Mojacar, Almeria. It is a lovely old farm house where historically the caretaker of the olive groves, which grew in the valley of Cortijo Grande, used to live. Unfortunately there was a devastating fire which wiped out most of the olive trees. The house is in an acre of land all on its own and it is the most tranquil and pleasant place to be creatively inspired. I said a final farewell to this gorgeous house (February 2019) because it is going on the market. This is a painting I completed in three days which would have taken two months back in noisy England!
This painting evolved from an incident at Bourn Golf Club (2016) and I managed a snapshot of the scene. The nest was in the river bank amongst all the roots and leaves. The moorhen came back to the nest after I had disturbed her whilst walking on the opposite bank. I stood very quietly until she returned. She snuggled sweetly back onto the eggs in the early morning sunshine and I gently moved away to leave her in peace. But what a lovely sight to see. This painting will be included in my book about Bourn Brook.
[Sadly, in March 2019 the bank where this little moorhen had made her nest in 2016, near the tenth fairway, became totally devoid of trees and vegetation—everything was uprooted, right down to water level, so that four log cabins could be built for golfing holidays and that visitors’ views would not be obstructed across the golf course from the cabin windows.]
