” That’s How I Became a Painter … “

“I associate my careless boyhood with all that lies on the banks of the Stour. Those scenes made me a painter and I am grateful “.

John Constable ( 1776-1837 )

John Constable faithfully immortalised the beauty in his paintings over 200 years ago.He used translucent colour  to give brightness to the shadows and created a sense of the feel of the place. Now,I could clearly see in real his realism,the beauty of the area surrounding his home,the natural light and the white-topped clouds rolling over the blue skies and suggesting sunshine …

Can anybody see the beauty … ?

Ever-changing cloudscapes

The River Stour & Romanticism

Constable Country Scenes and Romanticism :
Walking in the footsteps of a great artist and musing by the River Stour and the Dedham Vale.Mesmerised by the Outstanding Natural Beauty of the English lowland scapes.The area has a rich history and has been the inspiration to many writers and artists.
I had seen the beauty of the area only in Galleries and now,it was spreading real in front of my very eyes …

Natural Beauty & Idyllic Scapes

Open spaces with scenic watermeadows and ever-changing skies,the Essex countryside is rich in Outstanding Natural Beauty ! The Dedham Vale and Stour Valley environ one of the most scenic and charming landscapes.

Birds resting on limbs above the River Stour

Lovely quaint villages,rivers,meadows,lowland scapes,fascinating local attractions,quiet roads and inviting tracks,make exploring an unforgettable experience ! John Constable faithfully immortalised the beauty and his techniques paved the way for Monet and the French Impressionists .

Naturalistic Brushstroke & Scenic Watermeadows

Dedham is an idyllic old English country village in Essex,situated on the banks of the River Stour.The main street in Dedham is charming with a cluster of  half-timbered houses and Georgian and Tudor town houses lining the road … I also loved the old cottages and the thatched sixteenth century cottages spread all over the Constable Country .

Lovely Georgian Houses

With the Charm of the Old …

Scenic Thatched Houses & plenty of Local Colour

Dedham Quiet Roads & Old Houses

Dedham Charming Houses with Stunning Facades

Cozily Nestled in the Lush Greenery

Constable Country & Watermeadows

There is also a magnificent Historic Church on the High Street in Dedham,with Constable connections (inside is Constable’s Ascension ) ,which is one of the great churches of northern Essex. It’s St Mary’s Parish Church,a 15th century rebuilding of an earlier medieval church which existed at least as early as 1322.

St Mary the Virgin built in 1492

St Mary’s dominates the High Street of Dedham

Strolling up the High Street you can’t miss the medieval Sun Inn,a 15th-century village coaching inn revitalised as a popular gastro pub where you receive the best English hospitality.A resty post for travellers for centuries and still much the same these days.

what about a pint of craft beer or a meal ? !!!!!!!

What about a pint of craft beer or a meal ? Or a cup of traditional cream tea ? I love the scones and the clotted cream … I kept my eyes peeled for The Essex Rose,a charming old-fashioned Tea House,a real English Rose …

What about a cup of tea or coffee ? !!!!!

A 16th century Tea House in the centre of Dedham, the heart of Constable Country.A fine timber-framed building looking out across Royal Square and towards the church.

It’s not only the unspoilt countryside along the River Stour and the memorable views over the Dedham Vale,it’s also tradition and style that have changed very little since Constable’s time … It’s the epitom of rural England as captured by the artist on his canvas.

Oh and Those Blues that meet The Greens & They Make Paintings …

The perfect place for artists and photographers,the true Constable Country with scenes that captivate and inspire,scenes where the Blues meet the Greens and they make Paintings …

the mirror of nature …

Blues meeting the Greens and making Paintings …

The Blues & Greens of the Constable Country

Constable Country & Naturalistic Brushstroke …

Reflections and Constable Country treasured moments … Don’t ask me why I so much like the uniqueness of the very English countryside and the mirror of nature on paintings … Only ask yourselves who painted nature …

And what about a cup of tea or coffee in The Essex Rose,my friends?

The Essex Rose Tea House

Thanks kindly for dropping by ….

PS : Catching up still remains an unfulfilled dream … I clear out 10 emails,and then another 20 arrive … A discouraging,chaotic situation with some Thousands of emails still waiting … I don’t even dare to publish new posts,thinking that my problem will become even worse …  It’s time though to publish some posts before 2015 arrives … Thanks kindly for your understanding  my WordPress friends and for coming by for a cup of tea … I’ ll soon visit you again and enjoy your remarkable work.