There is a place where I live that has an old sandstone wall that skirts the estate of a golf course and hotel. The hotel, an 18th century Georgian manor, was home to a man named Charles Waterton who was a famous naturalist and is reputed to have inspired Charles Darwin’s endeavours. Waterton explored the farthest reaches of the globe and had a keen interest in the natural world, collecting samples and even allegedly riding a Camen. When he returned home he built the wall as a way to protect and observe the local wildlife and thus created what is thought to be the worlds first nature reserve. The illustration above is inspired by the many cyclists that ride the estates outskirts, and is a scene I see frequently when I go running. Enjoy!
mattwalkerart.com 