As you know, I really like your turbine paintings and am intrigued by the idea of adding them to an existing work, as they are added to the landscape. You might unconsciously have left room for them! A nice experiment.

I'd like to think I was that prescient. Interesting how easily they fit into some paintings and how impossible in others. Much food for thought here for sure!

Last April I showed a series of wind farm paintings, in a solo show called 'Horizons' (www.hesterberry.co.uk/gallery/2010_work/horizons.htm) I was painting the sites of planned turbines (some of which have since been built) and adding the structures in. The aim was to give as honest a forecast as possible, as to how they might visually affect the landscape. I didn't let on whether I was for or against the plans, but just tried to be as truthful as I could. By appearing to sit on the fence, I managed to initiate much dialogue on the subject. Most people thought they looked elegant in paint. They tend to agree that they also do in the flesh. I'm not sure what people might think of my projections now that they can see the wind farm at Fullabrook for real.

I've just had a look at your paintings and I reckon your turbines are even more prominent than mine, but they still look lovely and, I don't know if this is what Stephanie is suggesting, but it does look like they belong in the paintings rather than having been added later.

I'm still unsure whether I'm for or against them, but I tend to lean towards 'for' as I believe we need to do whatever possible to find alternative energy, even if some people feel it might be detrimental to their appreciation of the 'countryside'. Your paintings would be much less picturesque if you added a coal-fire power station into your existing works.

I suppose those paintings of yours can't be called propaganda either for or against, but I think they're an important exploration into how these behemoths will affect the landscape, and hopefully you've made people meditate a bit on the subject before they make up their minds too rashly.

...I don't know if this pretentious essay I've just written is what you were looking for, but I want to say that I like the paintings. They look really fresh and windy. I do think it's such an important topic for people to discuss and question, and your paintings will definitely make an audience do just that.

No art expert but what an interesting concept. Turbines remind me of aliens predicted in a BBC sci-fi series of some years ago. My gut feeling is that they in no way enhance the landscape but perhaps their green credentials overide this objection. Well done Richard for causing us to think.

Hi Richard. I really like it when you get in touch and I just love to look at your work again. The painting of the Turbines is interesting to me as I have moved to the Scottish Borders now and we look over the hills and there are 21 turbines. Like you I have this desire to paint them. They look like windmills to me and not offensive (I do not live under them or I might think differently). I really could spend all my time walking the hills and looking at the changing sky. Luckily I have four dogs to keep me outdoors.....I hope your show is a success. the barns are great. I like barn 4 but will look at them again in more detail regards J.

Look in your closet or under the bed for your missing picture...oh wait, those are dust bunnies under the bed. LOL! How are you faring my friend? I was stealing some time here at work and perusing your latest works. I do love the country girl, but please don't EVER apologize to Sara Palin, she is a first class idiot with a dangerous popularity amongst the conservative fools here in the US. Not to mention the men who think with their penises. Much love to you and I see from the multitude of comments and fans on your site that you are gaining a much bigger following. I wish you much success and tons of financial gain. Oh, and I love the turbines too, they are whimsical and fun.

So much response and so fascinating. Hester, I'm with you in that I believe the actual turbines are phenomenally beautiful structures: a coming together of design and function. In their way quite as beautiful as the old wind mills in Dutch paintings, which we would now fight to protect (presumably)! I love your paintings; they are important and dramatic with great depths. I see that we accept pylons, telegraph poles and trees etc, we accept the noise of the wind in those trees and howling between buildings. I agree that living right beneath them no-one should have to do.
Malcolm, many thanks for your encouragement, it's very important to me. I wonder if you would agree with any of the above? I hope Janette you get out there with drawing pad and dogs and get down some raw initial impacts. Please show me any drawings if you do.
Cat, it ain't under my bed, honest. I wish she was and lots of things are but not her sadly. Another quite different lady: my Sarah Palin reference was meant to be ironic - a tantalisingly dangerous siren who must be resisted (we poor men).

i think the very fact of acknowledging them makes their future even more likely. If something is seen then it is known to be real and one is less likely to resist it. And I'm all for them. If it gives us any more possibilities for our future then bring them on. BTW I'm delighted you've got your solar panels..hats off to you!