Caer Caradoc to the Wrekin

Description

• Title: Caer Caradoc to the Wrekin
• Medium: Oil paint
• Substrate: 10oz Cotton Canvas x 2
• Size 100cm x 200cm
• Style: Contemporary
• Frame: No

The first painting out of the new Shropshire studio at David Stead Contemporary Art, ‘Caer Caradoc to the Wrekin’ is oil on 2 canvases measuring 1mtr x 2mtrs overall.

Painted from the Long Mynd, a stunning heather-clad plateau enfolding the beautiful and historic town of Church Stretton and owned by the National Trust; the painting features some of the most iconic hills of central Shropshire – Caer Caradoc, The Lawley and in the far distance, The Wrekin.

Nearby is the 18 mile limestone escarpment of Wenlock Edge, made famous by the poet A.E. Houseman in his 1896 collection ‘A Shropshire Lad’ which in turn inspired Ralph Vaughan Williams to compose his song cycle ‘On Wenlock Edge’, setting some of Houseman’s poetry to music. Perhaps more surprisingly it is also the setting of several works by L.S. Lowry who detailed the woodland with some fine pencil drawings.

There are many interesting places to visit in the area including Acton Scott Heritage Farm, the delightful Stokesay Castle, one of the finest surviving fortified manor houses in England and the ancient market town of Ludlow.

It’s a landscape new to David but one that he will be revisiting in the near future.