Sheep Under the Rising Moon - small scale

An original artwork made with love by Hannah Wynn Kendall.

Oil paint on stretched cotton canvas.

50 X 40 cm.

'Sheep Under the Rising Moon' is  a painting I created from a sketch whilst staying in a grade-listed stone cottage on the side of a hill in Snowdonia. The sheep would roam through the garden each morning, and wake me in case I hadn't got up to greet them.

One evening as dusk fell, the moon rose over the Welsh hills and the sheep took their last stretch for the evening. The feeling from this memory was of such peace. The silence on the hill, the clam blue sky softening to baby pink. The colours soft and dreamy, a perfect edition to a bedroom or cosy nook.

Whilst painting this piece I knew the sheep were an essential part but wanted their colours to feel in keeping with the scene. I began to use unexpected colours and ended up loving the quirky, playful, abstract shapes and gestures of them.
They feel so part of the scene they may even be missed on first glance, but that's how I feel about the beauty of the countryside. Nothing screams for your attention, just asks you to take notice. And my busy mind appreciates the reminder so very much.