Fine Lady

Original oil over mixed media painting on canvas board.

51 x 40.6cm / 20 x 16

A rumour no-one else believed:
Go to where the old roads cross
on Beltane Eve.

Her music rang through the sky,
but I only glimpsed her for a moment
as she rode on by.

This painting was inspired by the children’s nursery rhyme: ‘Ride a cock horse to Banbury Cross to see a fine lady upon a white horse; with rings on her fingers and bells on her toes, she shall have music wherever she goes.’ I discovered through some research into old spring folklore that this could be about catching a glimpse of a goddess of Spring, with the crossroads representing the wheel of the year.
There are soft earthy, natural tones in this painting for a relaxed atmosphere, with pops of pastel pink and lilac to add some fresh brightness.
I would love you to see your own narrative in the picture – where is the woman going and where has she been? Do you wander what she’s thinking about?