A Walk with Artist Ewan Walton
In January I went for a wander on Dartmoor with the splendidly talented Artist, Ewan Walton.
I’ve always tried to do my best to showcase other peoples work.
I’m in no way consistent in this, nor do I pretend that it’s some kind of noble cause that I vigorously pursue to the detriment of my health and mental wellbeing.
As a not very sociable person … I do the best I can, when I can 😍
Unlike those gregarious, extroverted people who have actual professions that purport to serve artists and creatives (yet still seem to expect you (the introverted anti-social type) to do all the research, running around and actual work, or those who exist purely to line their own pockets and promote people who already have a following) I actually try to spend a little time every month looking for local artists i might have missed.
I’m only human, so I tend to gravitate to people whose work I actually enjoy, though whilst attempting to make a success of my recent (and ultimately doomed) zine “Our Dartmoor” 🤣 , I did make an effort to approach those whose work I didn’t ‘get’.
Anyway, one artist I had struck up an online conversation with was Ewan … I hasten to say that I was immediately drawn to his style, his watercolour’s reminding me of the work of Arthur Rackham (possibly the most famous book illustrator of his time) … suffice to say I do enjoy Ewan’s work.
On The West Okement by Ewan Walton
We spent several months bantering about things in general and eventually managed to sort out a time to meet up.
On Great Links Tor - Blowing a Hooley
As with most of my life, the agreed upon day coincided with numerous other things, including my car brakes working incredibly badly (for this; I apologize; once again Ewan).
I picked Ewan up from Okehampton Train Station (we now have a working and rather splendid rail connection to the outside world; it even works on most occasions, especially when there are no cows on the tracks) … I digress …
We made our way to the parking area behind The Dartmoor Inn and set off.
It was absolutely bucketing down as we made our way to the River Lyd, but thankfully that proved to be the only time when we got truly soaked.
At this juncture I should probably point out that Ewan is an incredibly tall and athletic fellow who actually enjoys running on the moor!
Yes, I said “enjoys” 🤣
I had; during our online chats; explained, more than once, that I am very much, designed for endurance not speed and requested that Ewan respect my need to potter along aimlessly and for him to try and resist the urge to break into a trot.
I had a rather loosely planned route in mind, taking in several views I thought might interest Ewan, and (of course) spots I enjoy myself.
Firstly we meandered across the River Lyd and headed North (ish) towards the base of Great Nodden, as I wanted Ewan to see the so-called Goldsworthy Stacks, a group of stacked stones at the old Nodden Quarry that resemble the work of contemporary artist Andy Goldsworthy (there is no real evidence he is associated with them).
Here’s a terrible youtube video I made about the “Stacks” 🤣 …
On the way here, and subsequently on our jaunt to Lyd Head to join the Rattlebrook Railway, we stopped at several of the hawthorns that regular followers of my work will no doubt recognise 😍
We took a somewhat soggy stomp down to Bleak House for a quick spot of lunch and then headed over to Dunnagoat and eventually Great Links Tor … where we were treated to some absolutely stunning skies!
As we were kind of making up the route as we went along, I thought I’d detour a little and introduce Ewan to the ruins of Wheal Frederick (A Victorian Tin Mine) before heading back towards the car via Brat Tor and Widgery Cross.
I seem to have not taken any photographs at Wheal Frederick … I’m presuming we ate again here and my lack of energy sapped me of the propensity to hold a heavy camera 😜
I thoroughly enjoyed our trip and we’re hoping to make a second voyage on to the moor in the near future.
I mentioned at the outset that I love Ewan’s work and on a more personal level can say he is not only a talented artist, but also highly personable, witty and knowledgeable … these things are always very subjective, so maybe check out his work and give him a follow and a share on some of the socials 💚
And here are a few photos I took during our wander …
Whilst writing this blog entry, I realised that I had taken quite a number of images of the day, that (at the time) I’d overlooked as I felt they weren’t up to scratch.
On revisiting those images, I decided they’re actually pretty good.
This realisation (in combination with my ever increasing disillusionment with both social media and the way the so-called Arts seem to exclude rather than embrace) reminded me that Ewan and I had discussed the idea of setting up a kind of artists co-operative. A non judgmental, bullshit free group of creatives that could work together to promote one another’s work.
Actively seeking out talent and supporting without any kind of expectations.
I’ve floated this idea with several artists and photographers over the last few years and have no inkling whatsoever if anything as truly democratic and free of the usual pretentiousness and “you scratch my back” attitude is even possible.
I’d love to hear your thoughts 😍
Considering hardly anybody visits my website, I doubt I will be inundated with suggestions 😜