The Arrival Of Spring In Woldgate, East Yorkshire In 2011 (twenty eleven) - 1 April
Signed Print

The trees are still bare, their branches like matchsticks, the sky is overcast and yet there is hope in the border of green at the edge of the road, the early spring flowers pushing their way through to add some colour to the long winter. The road too, with its misty vanishing point also seems to offer hope in this delicate study of early spring by David Hockney. Part of the The Arrival of Spring 2011 the work presents a typical scene from the series which will later become more verdant, filled with blossom and warm light. On 1st of April however, it is still partly dormant and yet filled with expectation. Combining soft washes of colour and fine lines the work belies its digital origins as an iPad drawing. One of 49 Hockney made for this series, it forms part of a daily practice the artist engaged with upon returning to his native Yorkshire from California. Wanting to document the changes in light, colour and mood he set about treating the device as his sketchbook, creating spontaneous and charming drawings such as this in order to make a composite artwork that he would later exhibit at the Royal Academy in his homecoming show.