I have three paintings accepted for the Royal West of England Academy Open Exhibition in Bristol this year and look forward to going to the traditional Varnishing Day on Saturday 11th October. This painting was made after I returned from witnessing the Art Installation in Birmingham by Brazilian artist, Nele Azevedo, to commemorate the centenary of the start of the W.W.I. I joined the huge crowd in placing 5,000 ice figures (the number of men lost at the front from Birmingham) on the steps of Chambelain Square and watched as they melted away in the sun. I wanted to paint an ice figure in a heavenly landscape.