Aoraki Mount Cook New Zealand

Here's the beginning of a new painting of New Zealand's highest mountain. The view is looking to the South Ridge (first climbed by Ed Hillary) and includes the triple summits - Low, Middle and High Peaks.

Painting is a way of reliving my mountain trips, and I spend a lot of the time dreaming - dreaming of being there, dreaming of new adventures, imagining the cold winds, excitement and loneliness.

One of these dreams is of visiting the Himalaya, mountains I've not seen before. Where would I go? What would I paint? How would I react? The Nepalese side of Everest has been calling me from the map for many years, so perhaps it's about time I reply. A possible way of funding the trip could be to pre-sell paintings from my visit. I would also like to think about a way in which my journey might benefit the locals. In the past I have taken part in Doug Scott's Community Action Nepal charity art exhibitions in the Lake District. A wonderful cause and something that I could be involved with again.