The Picnic by Diana Forbes
The Picnic is a collection of contemporary paintings by Diana Forbes offering glimpses into sun-drenched landscapes and vivid still life scenes, all honoring life as it unfolds by the river on a summer’s day during the Henley Royal Regatta. The collection is a celebration of life, nature, and the quintessential British summer, captured in a palette of illuminated colors and atmospheric compositions.
“Living in the timeless town of Henley-on-Thames, we are ultimately intertwined with the spirit of the regatta, an annual spectacle which transforms our quaint town into a vibrant week long celebration. As international teams arrive to challenge themselves on the river Thames, our streets come alive with colour and sound, echoing the proud traditions of British summer time. Spectators adorned in striped blazers, boaters, and summer dresses gather along the riverbanks. Picnic blankets spread out against white fences, the lush green lawn providing a striking contrast to the bold blue and white stripes of the regatta tents. Here, beneath the sun, Champagne corks pop in jubilant celebration, and glasses of Pimm’s glisten in hand, marking yet another fabulous summer's day.”
- Diana Forbes
A view of The Picnic collection by Diana Forbes.
Diana found the following excerpt from a poem by Holly Ai Smith to be fitting for her regatta themed collection:
“(...) The summer sun bears down upon striped tents,
Straw hats, umbrellas, pink to red faces,
All ordered behind the white wooden fence,
Scattered applause, the splash of the races.”
- Holly Ai Smith
