Logging

I think it would have looked like this too (maybe not with safety gear) but in these H&S conscious times and with artistic licence good to put the man in. Really nice painting Paul, that horse is particularly good

Thanks Heather for your comment, I’m pleased with the horse. There is a return to using horses in the woodlands particularly on sensitive areas, and where tractors etc cannot be used due to gradient or confined space. All the current loggers have to wear hard hats visors and high vis jackets etc , it was the more modern loggers that I based my painting on . I’m thinking of a similar one but set in the early 1900s , be good to have a comparison.

Beautiful Dixie! Glad you got past the sticky spot and completed this one, the horse is lovely.

Super picture Paul. The horse is great. The composition is also great.

Another fine work, full of interest and very well painted.

Lovely, Paul - I am enjoying your "horse" series!

Excellent horse Paul, and the modern day Logger adds a good bit of colour.

Anth, Davis , Lew, Anne and Richard many thanks for your very kind comments. I’m enjoying painting them Anne , and at risk of boring everyone I have a couple more ideas in mind. The heavy horses are such beautiful creatures, and are a delight to see and paint.

What a grand face your horse has, a beautiful painting, Paul!

Thank you Thalia for you comment. Sorry David , fat finger when spelling your name hit the s by mistake.

Beautiful painting Paul. Lovely horse nice work 👍

Well done Paul; a nice painting and nice ferns; I find ferns really tricky! I like your two-horse sketch on the forum too.

Super painting Paul. Skilfully painted.

Thank you a Faye , Karen and Denise for your very kind comments.

Another fine painting Paul to go with an interesting backstory. Thats what I love about your work.

That beautiful horse taking centre stage Paul, lovely work.

Yes I love your horse too, like the way he is patiently listening for his orders before he moves on. Nice to think of them being used in woods again.

Thank you Brian , Russell and Sarah for your much appreciated comments. Hopefully Sarah as we try to go more green in the future there may be a role for more horses again.

Well, this brings back memories Paul. I had a couple of uncle-in-laws that had a forestry business and when I was about nineteen they gave me this job! It was a particular difficult area and they couldn’t get any machinery in to bring the felled trees out, so they used this method. It’s a wonderful nostalgic scene and one that has brought good memories back. Can’t wait to see the earlier 1900 scene.

Wow Fiona what an opportunity, I’m green with envy, it’s something I always wanted to do. We were looking at using horses but unfortunately COVID hit and we were prevented from going ahead. Since the the tree’s have been removed using modern kit. I now have needed to give up the Ranger role , unfortunately that had ended any chance of horse logging for me.

Such an interesting story behind the painting makes it even more evocative

Thank you Moira your comment is appreciated.

I’m sorry to hear that you have had to give your role as Ranger up Paul, especially when you are so dedicated and enthusiastic about nature and wildlife. You have a wealth of knowledge and experience and you will be a great loss to them. One good thing……you also have a wealth of memories and potential painting inspiration from you time spent in the woods. I didn’t do it for very long, as soon as the hard to reach timber was out machines took over.

Thank you Fiona, I do miss it terribly, but life goes on as they say. No matter how long you did the work for Fiona , you are one of the very few people who have.

A lovely piece that really conveys your vision. Beautifully painted, Paul.

Thank you for your comment Seok, it is appreciated.