Sarah Luton

This is a meadow is owned by the National Trust, just outside Maidenhead in Berkshire. Seeded several years ago with cowslips which have now multiplied, it is something I marvel at every year. I chose this size of canvas to try and capture the panoramic view of the meadow. painted en plein air in water mixable oil. Completed on site.

I saw the shadows on the lawn with the wheelbarrow and abandoned what I was planning to do in the studio. I had to paint this quickly en plein air before the shadows changed. Always a challenge!

This painting is part of a series recording the floods in Cookham, Berkshire in 2014 when the River Thames burst it's banks. I went there several times a week during that period to sketch, photograph and paint. The people in the background of this painting are on a causeway which became the only access into the village as all the roads were flooded. The water in the foreground was held back by a bank which surrounds the village. The bench and it's reflection was evidence of the dramatic change from the usual green area where people can sit.

I was out painting another scene when the clouds built up and I had to run for it. Painted from photos and memory.

This painting was part of a series I did to record the floods at Cookham when the River Thames burst its banks in 2014. I painted it en plein air, battling against the wind. I had to stop the easel blowing over towards me with the palette. Whilst painting I was very conscious of the seagulls shrieking and the clacking of the halyards on the masts at Cookham Sailing Club. I was frozen to the core and my hands became so cold that I found it hard to pack up the easel. Most of it was painted on site but I did have to work on it at home.

This painting of an allotment was completed en plein air. I thought it was a beautiful mix of flowers and vegetables and loved the sunflowers. It originally had another figure in the background but when I was chatting to a friend I discovered it was her allotment! i painted out the man and put her in it instead. It now hangs pride of place in her house.

Painted in water mixable oil. I am fascinated by the shapes of fruit and vegetables. These peppers were self sown and had grown amongst my runner beans. I wanted to capture the shiny reflective skin while they were still fresh. The skin becomes dull if left. It was painted in strong sunlight which bounced off the blue plate. The peppers were a joy to paint and a joy to eat!

Another local scene in Cookham. This was painted en plein air in water mixable oil. I have tried to capture the heat of the day with the contrast of shadow against the sun-lit meadow. When I started painting, I was standing in the shade but by the time I finished I was extremely burnt on one side!