Summer Solstice 2026

~ Ashley

Today, I should be celebrating the Summer Solstice, the longest day in the northern hemisphere, but for this post, I decided to draw something in memory of one of my favourite artists.

David Hockney (9th July 1937 – 11th June 2026)

It is only a matter of weeks since his passing and my tribute is my version of one of his more recent paintings from his time spent in Normandy, France. I have loved his art since I first saw his work in the late 60’s and 70’s. 



Here we are,
On the hill of summer;
The longest day.

I chose this particular scene because it features an apple tree. Apple, in the Ogham Grove (*) is the guardian of the south, daylight and the summer solstice.

(*) The Ogham Grove by Yuri Leitch (ISBN 9781517653637)

Ashley

Here is a short video of the wonderful artist David Hockney:

48 thoughts on “Summer Solstice 2026”

  2. I like what Hockney said about people doing things from the fear of death, when they should be doing them from the love of life! Great insight! That’s a great painting, Ashleaf, as well as a nice hokku. I plan on celebrating midsummer by taking a hike in the woods and seeing wildlife from the love of life. Hope you and Carol have a great midsummer and hug a few trees.

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  3. Goodness, Ashley, your painting is beautiful, and Hockney would be very happy to be your inspiration! I also like his art, his views on love of life, and his insistence that he must be forever in Yorkshire after he dies.

    Joanna

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    1. Thank you Joanna, I find his work wonderful. There is a child-like wonder to his paintings, and his later work from Normandy I simply adore! 🤗💓🙏

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      1. The rabbit in my photo is a cottontail. We do have blacktailed ‘jack rabbits,’ which are not really rabbits, but are hares. (Google ‘hares v rabbits’) Rabbits and hares are in the same family, but a different genus.

  5. A heartfelt tribute to David Hockney, an artist with whom I was unfamiliar until now (and I’m searching the ‘net for examples of his work). Also, you possess a distinct and wonderful artistic flair of your own, Ashley. Your painting of the apple tree holds special meaning for me–an apple tree grew outside my bedroom window of the farmhouse in which I was raised. You’ve sparked some pleasant memories, good sir.

    Wishing you a grand Summer Solstice, my friend. 😊🌳🍎

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    1. Hello Mike, I’m glad I have introduced you to David Hockney’s work. He is a particular favourite of mine. Also, as I was born here in the Orchard County of Armagh, I have a fondness for apples and I’m also glad that this post has sparked some good memories! 😊🙏

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    1. Dear Rosaliene, thank you for your lovely comments. David Hockney is a favourite of mine. Hoping you had a good solstice. 🤗🙏

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    1. I’m with you on that. I’ve followed his work for years. He did a series of paintings from Normandy, France, which showed a wonderful child-like quality; a wonder of the world around us, which is why I used one of his apple trees for my tribute! I hope he would approve, 🤗💓🙏

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  15. Hi Ashley,
    Coincidentally we have Hockney’s art show at the moment in the art museum. It’s really bright and uplifting, I am glad you made this piece in homage to David Hockney’s art. On that day I was also painting my Chinese landscape with a bridge. It turned out pretty well. Ironically the summer of 2022 we spent in France, Germany and Turkey I didn’t make any art. Even though we went to see museums and exhibitions to get inspired. Morocco was the final country on the tour but it was rather overwhelming. I think I could make some art in the memory of the markets there or better Yves Saint Laurent home and garden.

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    1. That is great Milena, maybe you’ll return for a second viewing of Hockney’s work. I’m sorry I’ve not been following of late but life has just been upside down. I’d love to see your Chinese landscape as I have an interest there too. You should give the Moroccan markets a try and maybe include some of that fabulous Majorelle Blue. 🤗🙏

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      1. Yes, that blue was something else
        The reason I remembered that summer is we went to see Hockney’s exhibit somewhere in Nice, it was his digital flowers printed out on photo paper. Very experimental. It was my intro to Hockney…
        I will be sharing my Chinese landscape with a movie review I watched recently, I can’t leave it alone this movie, it’s called Chungking Express (1994) made in Hong Kong. I would love to discuss it with anyone who love Tarantino movies, he is the one who made it popular in the US

    2. Dear Milena, I wish I knew more about the movie, I’ll have to look it up. I look forward to seeing your Chinese landscape! Enjoy your weekend. 🤗🙏

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  17. Dear Ashley, what a beautiful way to mark the Summer Solstice. Your colourful drawing radiates exactly what I associate with this time of year—light, warmth and that quiet sense that nature has reached a moment of joyful abundance. I also like the thought that your tribute to David Hockney is not a copy, but a conversation across generations of artists. His paintings have always celebrated the sheer pleasure of seeing, and I think your drawing carries that same spirit in its own voice. And the apple tree is a lovely choice. Trees have a remarkable sense of timing—they never seem to consult a calendar, yet they always know when the season has arrived. Perhaps there is a small lesson in that for us humans, too. 😉

    I wish you a wonderful summer…..Rosie from Germany

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  18. Dear Rosie, thank you for your wonderful comments. As I live in the Orchard County of Northern Ireland, it is only natural that I should use an apple tree as a symbol of the summer solstice. It is a tree of health and vitality and as a member of the Rose family (Rosaceae) it couldn’t be a more fitting for the solstice. 🤗💓🙇‍♂️

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    1. It’s not my style but that of David Hockney, who passed away recently. Yes, I’m a fan of that fabulous era in making art. Thank you for your visit here and for your comment.

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  20. Oh Ashley I missed this post. I love David Hockney’s art very much and his attitude. I was sad when he died. Your art is a beautiful tribute to him ❣️🫟🎨🖌️

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    1. No problem, Morag. You have been very busy. Thank you for your lovely comment; I’m glad you enjoyed my post. What a great character he was! 😊🙏

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  21. I discovered David Hockney’s work through my wife, an art appraiser specializing in paintings and sculptures. She deeply admires Hockney, and it was she who introduced me to his paintings. The tribute you have prepared to celebrate the start of the summer solstice is beautiful. Un abrazo y feliz verano 🙋‍♂️

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    1. Thank you for your wonderful comments. I have followed Hockney’s work for years. Whilst he was living in Normandy in 2020, he did some lovely paintings during the springtime there. There is a wonderful light, almost childlike feel to them. I’m glad you enjoyed my post. ¡Un abrazo y feliz verano para ti también! (I hope that’s correct).

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