Sticking with the theme of landscapes, this creation incorporated something new for acrylic. Something that has been created with chalk pastel but not with acrylic. A landmark.
The Coate Water Diving Board is an iconic and recognisable landmark in the Wiltshire region, being associated with the town of Swindon. The diving board is a listed asset and therefore protected under planning and heritage legislation. However, recently permission had been sought to clean up the diving board and bring it back to become an asset that carries pride for the town.
To be honest, this wasn’t my best creation. They say you are your own worse critic and that saying cannot be truer with this creation. It has many faults, but looking beyond those, and trying to remain positive… The colour of the sky appeared as though it was a scene of the landscape being torched with the trees at the front standing tall, for now.
Summer 2022 has been the driest on record for the United Kingdom. In July, there was a heatwave that saw temperatures sore to new highs of 40°C. As a result of the sustained and intense heat, twinned with the lack of rainfall, the land had become a tinderbox waiting to catch fire. With that, the UK saw several wildfires. Some of which were close to residential villages and towns. London Fire Brigade responded to many of the fires and warnings were issued to the public including advice on not having barbeques and ensuring litter, such as glass bottles, were disposed of appropriately.
Following the heatwave and intensely dry summer, reservoirs have reached a level to which concern has been raised, resulting in hosepipe bans coming into force as well as water regions of the country being designated as officially being in drought.
So, whilst it wasn’t the best creation that has been undertaken, it was done to highlight the conditions that the country had experienced during the summer of 2022.
This blog post is available in audio as a podcast and can be found here: Coate Water Diving Board audio
Artwork in Progress 