Hang Gliding On Skis – New Painting

As a special birthday gift I painted this artwork for my best friend Katy, hang gliding in the mountains.

When we had this experience in the French Alps as youngsters my friend’s photo never arrived. So now she has a painting to remember the experience by.

I used online research, my black and white photo of the experience, and photos of Katy around that age, to create the sketches for the piece.

The hang glider’s camera was mounted on the wing and during the flight the pilot took the shot by remote control. The photos were then developed and (in theory) posted.

Setting off with skis pointed straight down the slope until the wing took flight and gliding over the resort below was exhilarating. I remember that it was chilly and I felt the elements as I was wearing my race suit as I had raced giant slalom earlier that day.

Each member of Katy’s family took the hang glider and all four pictures went missing, so the experience has always had the disappointment of the photos not arriving, associated with it.

The hang gliding on skis experience was in Alpe d’Huez, France when we were there for the English Championship Easter races.

Painted in Kuretaki watercolours on 100% cotton paper.

I framed the painted and surprised Katy with it for her birthday.

National Snow Show: It was lovely to see Katy reunited with Chammy Alcott at my stand at the National Snow Show in Birmingham last month. Chemmy and Katy room shared for a time during their ski racing careers.