When I was little we used to go and visit my grandparents' farm in deepest Norfolk. They kept chickens which were taken to the market every Thursday. The house had no electricity and no running water so it was rather magical, although a little scary, with oils lamps and candles, water fetched from the pump in the front garden and of course the cold and dark outside toilet that had no flush but lots of spiders.
Opposite the house was an apple orchard where my sister and I used to play. It was full of flowers and dappled sunlight and we used to take our dolls and books and spend a lot of time there. One day I sat down on a little rise and picked up a book only to be seen screaming and running to the house 10 minutes later, I had sat on an ant's nest and they were everywhere. This painting brings back those memories of when we were called in for our tea.
This is one of my favourite paintings and I might just keep it a little bit longer before it goes on sale.
