The Path Above Baghill Lane, acrylic painting

The Path Above Baghill Lane in Pontefract is an original landscape artwork from Yorkshire painted in the spirit of the outdoors.

I grew up in the countryside, and from a young age, I sincerely appreciated the natural beauty around me. I spent hours exploring the forests and fields, admiring the beauty of the landscapes, collecting wildflowers and listening to the birds singing.

Later, living in the concrete jungle, I struggled to find inspiration. It lacked the natural elements that had always fueled my creativity.

I tried going to parks and gardens, but they were always too crowded, noisy, and artificial. Then came the lockdown of Spring 2020, and I realized this was an opportunity to reconnect with nature again. 

During the lockdown, we've seen fewer cars and no grass-cutting in green places. There was more fresh air because rarer driving vehicles and cars were moving back and forth :-). Grass, plus all so-called weeds, like dandelions and others, could now grow freely and abundantly. And I noticed that birds behaved differently. They were less afraid of humans.

One day, while walking my dog Harvey, I stumbled upon a path above Baghill Lane. The view was breathtaking - a sea of green, with trees in spring bloom and wildflowers swaying in the breeze. It was like a painting come to life. I knew I had to capture this moment on canvas. 

I spent the next few weeks working tirelessly on my painting. I mixed shades of green and white to create the perfect May-green hue, adding touches of yellow to represent the dandelions. I channelled all my emotions into the artwork - the hope, the optimism, the longing for freedom and nature. 

When the painting was finally finished, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment that I hadn't felt in a long time. It was as if the lockdown had allowed me to rediscover my passion and purpose. 

I put the painting up for sale online, hoping it would bring joy and inspiration to others stuck at home. And it did. The viewers thanked me for creating something so beautiful and uplifting during such a difficult time. It was then that I realized the true power of art - to connect people, bring them together, and remind them of the beauty that still exists in the world.

The painting shows abundant nature in green, with trees in spring bloom. The green colour is a fresh May-green hue. It is an invigorating artwork with a pinch of optimism and the freshness of spring. Enjoy.

• Materials: gallery-wrapped canvas, sides painted in white, professional-grade acrylic paints and high-quality varnish
• Style: Realism influenced by Impressionism
• Size: 30 x 30 x 3 cm
• The painting is not framed but is ready to hang on a sawtooth bracket fixed to the wooden frame of the stretched canvas.