Wind Against Tide, Dunstanburgh

• Title: Wind Against Tide, Dunstanburgh
• Medium: Oil
• Substrate: 12oz Cotton Duck Canvas
• Size: 80cm x 80cm
• Style: Contemporary
• Frame: yes
• Prints available: Yes

Dunstanburgh Castle, just outside Craster is in the heart of the stunning county of Northumberland one of Stead’s favourite places and somewhere he visits often, to paint or to get away from it all. The painting forms part of the ‘Turner Project’,

Dunstanburgh is one of several major castles guarding the North East coast of England. It is built on the Whin Sill, a tabular layer of igneous rock which covers much of County Durham and Northumberland. It is dated at around 301- 294 million years old, thus spanning the Carboniferous/Permian boundary. The rock is dark, bordering blue/black and makes a striking counterpoint to the sand and crashing waves of the North Sea.

Dunstanburgh was painted by JMW Turner on several occasions though he seems to have visited only once during his tour of the North of England in 1797. Although Turner seems to have explored the castle only once, it was one of the subjects he depicted most often in his career, its ruins allowing him to meditate on the contrasts between past and present. Coming from London, the huge skies, crashing waves and vast open spaces must have come as a welcome assault to the young Turner’s senses and the sights of Northern England – Yorkshire, County Durham and Northumberland stayed with him throughout his life.

After and original oil painting by David Stead, this beautiful limited edition print is on deep profile, archival quality canvas. The print comes with a certificate of authentication.

David says: The Northumberland coast is one of our favourite places to visit as a family, we visit together at least once a year, taking a couple of cottages overlooking the sea. We stay in the little fishing village of Craster, famouse for it’s smokehouse, producing wonderful kippers and opposite is the Jolly Fisherman – a great pub serving local ales and seafood in the restaurant.

Painting trips are a little more focussed and as the scene has changed so little, I’m very much aware of the great artists who have worked here before particularly JMW Turner and Thomas Girtin.

It’s an unforgiving coastline, visceral and elemental, the details every bit as important as the vast vistas – the colours in a rock pool left still by the receding tide, grasses waving in the wind and the coconut scent of gorse. Sky and sea, ever changing  and demanding of a painter’s adaptability and facility.