World Heritage Sites

My paintings in this collection are split into two sections. Hadrian's Wall is in the first section, immediately below this text. You can view Cuba paintings by clicking here.

Hadrian’s Wall

Walltown East © Karen Neale
please click on the image below to see a larger picture

In June 2004 in conjunction with Hadrian’s Wall Tourism Partnership, I followed the route of Hadrian’s Wall, which is also a World Heritage Site, from Newcastle to Bowness on Solway, with my sketchbook. Over the month I completed twenty sketches and held talks and workshops within the local towns and villages on the way. In August 2005 an exhibition of my work took place at the Fi Fie Fo Fum Gallery, near Corbridge in Northumberland.

A few extracts from my diary are as follows:

‘7th June 2004 - Rather ironically I am beginning my journey at Wallsend (I suppose Wallstart sounds like some American superstore). Setting out from Segedunum, surveying the Empire before me from the high level tower, I took a little detour to see the enormous cranes of the Swan Hunter shipyard and others, before following the Fosse Way. After a couple of miles it becomes the modern day Shields Road, a lively local shopping street). A few yards down the road from where I am sitting a small section of the Wall is exposed in Hadrian’s Square. But I am drawing the living wall of terraced shops and houses. Everyone is very friendly round here, and you get a lovely cuppa at the Singin’ Hinny…..

Shields Road © Karen Neale
please click on the image below to see a larger picture

….. 14th June 2004 - to Housesteads - Well this is the view from a point close to King’s Wicket, just after Sewing Shields Crags. Windy wind was back in force again, bringing cloudy clouds with it, such that the occasional patches of sunlight, which broke through the clouds, glided across the hills like helicopters’ searchlights at great speed. The horses and cows in the field were very friendly, sauntering over to me as I made my way up to the ridge. However they wisely said goodbye when they realised that I was indeed going to the top in the full face of Windy wind to sketch. Fortunately Housesteads is only a couple of dips ’n’ hips away and heralded teatime in the teashop!’

Corbridge and Housesteads © Karen Neale
please click on the image below to see a larger picture

…..22nd June 2004 - Climbed back up to Walltown Crags again and sat fairly near to where I was yesterday, but looking in a westwards direction, towards Longbbyre, Gilsland and way in the distance across the Solway Firth to Scotland. Unlike the naughty human visitors to the Wall, who can presumably read the ‘Don’t Walk on the Wall’ notices, but still do, the sheep looking only vaguely guilty, daintily pick their way along and across the Wall, into pastures new. This section of the Wall is particularly craggy and in some of the dips it is over head-height, and therefore particularly impressive. The views are beautiful and the sheep just keep on mowing…..’

Walltown West © Karen Neale
please click on the image below to see a larger picture

Through the close involvement and support of Hadrian’s Wall Tourism Partnership, this journey was a wonderful opportunity to not only learn about a stunning World Heritage site but also to engage with the local communities along the Wall. The people I met were so warm, welcoming and friendly, and very supportive, making this an enjoyable and fulfilling collaboration all round.

Havana Cuba Journey - 2003

Continuing the theme of World Heritage, I have visited Cuba several times and in particular Havana, a World Heritage City. My first visit was in 2000. It is a completely fascinating and fabulous country and Havana is architectural heaven and an artist’s paradise. In 2003 an exhibition of my work was held there in the ornate and unique covered swimming pool of a former sugar baron’s house, now the home of the British Ambassador in Havana.

Fornos, Havana © Karen Neale
please click on the image below to see a larger picture

To return to the top of this page please click here

Karen Neale Art