Oil, cold wax and gold leaf on panel
122 x 122 cm

This work began unusually for Paula — with reference material — to preserve the memory of a day walking through the North York Moors. The weather shifted constantly: bursts of dazzling light followed by sudden rain transformed wet roads into shimmering, river-like surfaces, their glint echoed here in the use of gold leaf.

The moorland, recently burned back, shed water in torrents towards reinforced riverbanks, unable to slow or absorb the flow. It was a striking reminder of the fragile balance between upland management and flood prevention.

Rather than mirroring the exact colours of the day, Paula adopted a cool, blue-tinged palette to evoke the rain-soaked air and shifting light — distilling the essence of the experience rather than its literal appearance.