About this artwork

Plein air sketch, 10/7/14.

Cezanne made several paintings of the Mont St. Victoire. I seem to like to return to this view of the Crummock valley from a farm gate in a little place called Foulsyke. I remember doing my first one in the late 90's, then another 2 within a few days of each other in 2003, and another one after that.
When I sat down by the hedge to start this one, the sun was beating down strongly, and at such a moment I think I understand something Monet said - "All my life, I've been engaged in a battle with the sun"
It can bounce off the white canvas & dazzle you, or at another angle it will light up the canvas from behind, which is also a bit awkward. But it was a good day for an oil sketch!
As I squeezed out my first colours, a tractor roared up to the gate. The farmer opened it & drove in "I hope I'm ok to sit here!" I said "Not my field!" said he. "No, your ok! I'll just skim your bit. It'll be hot sitting there!" He was right - for this lovely view, I face the sun and the hawthorn hedge at my back offered no shade. The farmer went on & cut the field, but kindly left me my thistley patch. About 3 hours later, I had my oil sketch.
This painting is presented as shown in the cherrywood frame I made for it.