It’s very difficult, to me, to imagine one without the other: landscapes and the outdoors so naturally (pardon the pun!) inspire through colours, shapes, textures and compositions; and many of the most important works and developments in artistic history are landscape related -Turner and Constable among so many others!
Those of us who spend a lot of time in the outdoors also know that its appeal is hugely emotional, and when we're back home, sat indoors, we love to be reminded of that state of mind which sometimes only the outdoors can bring: a dramatic mountain vista, a serene riverside picnic or the majestic flight of a bird of prey.
Pointing & clicking a camera doesn’t always capture the movement, atmospheric conditions or intensity quite as simply as being in the moment. Of course there are some extremely talented photographers out there who are very much an exception to this rule, but the artistic freedom of connecting brush with canvas, pen with paper etc. creates an opportunity to conjure atmosphere and emotional interpretation like no other...
For me, the place I feel the strongest attachment to is Nidderdale - my home - which is why I particularly love the work of Sarah Garforth, a Nidderdale based artist who produces some wonderful local scenes as well as those from further afield: