This delightful book contains almost 100 original paintings of the Lake District. It is a wonderful testament to the work of Wendy Stuart who has known the area all her life. Inspirational pictures are accompanied by inspiring words from poets and painters, plus Wendy's own thoughts on how and why she chose the views to paint, plus some interesting historical facts and folklore about the places chosen.
Wendy's previous book Lakeland in the 1830s was based on the journal of a gentleman traveller, Isaac Simpson, who was the author's great-great-grandfather. This book was also published by Hayloft and was a Lakeland Book of the Year award winner.
After attending St Paul's Girls' School then Twickenham Art College in London, Wendy Stuart spent some time in Yorkshire, then Cumberland involved in farming. Moving to Lancashire some years later, she went into teaching, mainly art and design, but also outdoor education, where she gained a love of sailing and orienteering. Combining these two loves, she acquired the habit of taking with her a pocket painting kit on her travels, filling many little books with sketches.
Retiring early from teaching in schools, Wendy taught painting to adults for some years. The hobby she loved most was to sail her boat on Windermere, as well as walking around the Lake District investigating interesting places, always with her paints and sketchpad in her pocket. This book is the result of many years of Lake District wanderings, on water and on the fells.
Illustrated with 91 original colour paintings
'Every picture shows a spot with which the artist has fallen in love' Alfred Sisley.
A quote such as this accompanies each of Wendy's 91 lovely paintings. These inspiring words are quotes from well known poets and paints. She also writes a personal account with each painting describing her own thoughts on how and why she chose that particular view to paint, she also adds some interesting historical facts and folklore about the places chosen.
'An art which is not based on feeling is not an art at all.' Paul Cézanne
Wendy taught painting and as a hobby she loved to sail her boat on Windermere, as well as walking around the Lake District investigating interesting places, always with her paints and sketchpad in her pocket. This book is the result of many years of wandering throughout the Lakes, on both water and land.
'There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour one against the other.' Edouard Manet.
Manet's appreciation of colour in the painter's art is well captured and executed by Wendy. This skill raises the level of the artist's hand well above that of the camera. Discuss!
'Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.' Edgar Dégas.
Wendy Stuart has the ability to make us see and love what she saw - in spadefuls. This is a book which can lie to hand over the years and continue to give pleasure and insight to all who pick it up. A lovely Christmas present for anyone. Keswick Reminder, December 2011
