It’s a Hard Life

With the theme of local industry in mind and inspired by my love of animals, my composition aims to reflect the hard, but important role that pit ponies played in coal mining in Co. Durham (the colliery at Easington Colliery depicted in this painting), and not forgetting the caged canaries who provided an early warning signal for toxic gases, which enabled the miners to get to safety. The ponies played a vital role in moving rock and coal in the underground tunnels to assist the miners, and whilst they were well cared for by the miners in underground stables, their working life was just that..... underground, in the dark…..though they were brought up to the surface…….to the light …….in summertime to stretch their legs and enjoy the summer pastures.