I spent most of my life living in cities, including 24 years in London. The result was that I knew almost nothing about farm animals. In truth, the only ones I really knew were the ones neatly wrapped beneath cellophane in supermarkets. I was a proper Townie!
A good few years ago, though, all that changed. I now live in the heart of the British countryside—Somerset, to be exact—and it really is rather wonderful. So I’m no longer a Townie; I’m a DFL: Down From London.
Here in Somerset there are farm animals everywhere, and I still enjoy seeing them. I’ve painted quite a few over the years, but they’re still something of a novelty to me.
You can purchase the original artwork here
You can purchase a limited edition print of this artwork here
One way I indulge that fascination is by visiting local agricultural shows, and it was one of those that inspired this painting of a piglet and some chickens.
One of the best things about these events is the chance to get up close to the animals. I’m always amazed by the variety within a single species. There are countless breeds of sheep, for example, and the breeders are more than happy to share their knowledge. They’re rightly proud of what they do, and it must be incredibly hard work. Throughout the day they parade their animals in the show ring, hoping to win a prize—or perhaps several.
I also make a point of visiting the vintage vehicles. They’re a real favourite of mine, especially the steam tractors and engines. They’re enormous, yet surprisingly quiet. I expected a tremendous racket, but they’re almost sedate—real gentle giants.
There are plenty of craft displays too, and I’m especially fond of the beehive makers. Their hives are woven from wheat straw using techniques that have changed very little over thousands of years. Back then, “local materials” wasn’t a marketing slogan; it was simply all you had. In return for a well-made home, the bees produce wonderful honey—another thing I never gave much thought to during my supermarket days.
The same goes for the apples that become cider and the goats that provide the milk for cheese. You begin to see how it all links together and gain a better appreciation of where our food comes from. At this end of the process, there really is no such thing as click and collect.
Towards the end of my visit I came across a tent housing a lively litter of piglets alongside a collection of proud, majestic chickens. In my mind I put them together, and that was the inspiration for the painting you’re seeing here.
I hope you like it.
