Pen Y Ghent Painting - from the new Yorkshire Three Peaks Collection

Reason - Pen Y Ghent

I experienced the joy and suffering of running the Yorkshire Three Peaks recently, as part of the Pennine Barrier Ultra Race. Previously, I have climbed it through blurry, swollen eyes in a more exhausted state as part of the Spine Race, and also the far shorter Three Peaks Race. Throughout these races and from countless training runs and walks, I've always loved this beautiful landscape of the Yorkshire Dales

Pen Y Ghent has tasted my blood, sweat and tears over the years. It has seen me smile, swear and stumble. It's a lovely climb and well worth the effort when skies are clear and you can enjoy the views.

Happy in the sunshine climbing Pen Y Ghent during the Spine Race 2024

Inspired by these experiences and from popular demand, I have been working on this new collection, The Yorkshire Three Peaks. Each painting is 23.4" x 33.1 (A1 size), using acrylic on a canvas board. The paintings are created following my experiences and memories of how it looked and felt summitting these peaks. I wanted the painting to be bold with vibrant colours and textured brushstrokes and a sense of looking up at the climb ahead to the summit. Perhaps even more so on The Spine Race, the climb is more significant but also marks nearly 100 miles into the race.

'Reason' is the first painting to be released in this collection and together they form a set that can be displayed alongside each other, celebrating memories of your own personal journey and to act as a reminder of what is possible when you put your mind to it.

Reason

The title was taken from Plato' three parts of the soul. Reason, Spirit and Appetite. I thought that these encapsulated the characteristics of those attempting challenges such as this. This Pen Y Ghent painting is entitled 'Reason' and is about rational, logical and calculated thinking behind tackling these great obstacles before us. Many might think us irrational at times for doing such things, but it is usually carefully considered and planned. It can also describe our motivation, our reason for taking it on and this can be very individual, doing it for ourselves and often for and with others.

The Yorkshire Three Peak Challenge is estimated to attract over 100,000 people every year. That's a lot of people and a lot of reasons why. What's your reason?

If you'd like to share, I'd love know your reason. Get in touch through the gallery contact page or via social media (links at the bottom of the page)

There will be further updates as paintings of Ingleborough and Whernside are added to the gallery to complete the collection. I'm really excited about this collection and hope that you enjoy it.