Michelle Clarke Stables
Barnsley based artist, Michelle Clarke Stables was born in Staffordshire, but belongs in Yorkshire. As well as painting a few well-known faces she is also a beekeeper, foodie and 1980s shot put certificate holder.
What’s your first Yorkshire memory?
Beyond my Nan’s Yorkshire puddings it would have to be my first encounter of the Barnsley accent. While working on a summer camp in West Virginia I met my now sister-in-law who is from Tarn as the locals call it.
I thought it sounded warm and welcoming. That was 20 years ago and I’m still trying to learn the language.
What’s your favourite part of the county and why?
I’m very fond of Harrogate. I’ve stayed there a number of times. And this year I was fortunate enough to be invited to the Great Yorkshire Show.
It was great to camp out there for a few days and get to see all the best Yorkshire has to offer, and to meet other artists. As well as my art, I’m a keen beekeeper and poultry keeper. I have chickens and ducks for eggs so I was in my element at the show.
What’s your idea of a perfect day, or perfect weekend, out in Yorkshire?
I would be torn between a picnic and fishing trip with my son, down by the local River Dearne, or jumping on the train for a day out in Leeds. I love Leeds. It’s got the vibrancy of London but more of a local town feel. I feel comfortable there. I often go with my husband and our friends. One of our favourite places to eat is Friends of Ham.
Do you have a favourite walk – or view?
Living so close to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and spending so much time there, it would have to be my first choice.
I’m very fortunate to live close to somewhere so beautiful that it attracts people from all over the world.
Apart from it being so stunning, it’s also one of my favourite places as I started making sculptures at the beginning of my career. As a teenager that was my obsession. I was in awe of the work of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.
Which Yorkshire sportsman, past or present, would you like to take for lunch?
First of all I’d have to think of a venue. I’m a fan of The Hepworth Wakefield; they do a good slab of cake.
A lot of my work focuses on influential, strong women so Jessica Ennis-Hill would be an amazing person to have lunch with – but maybe not for cake – and a possible subject for my work.
Ennis, who is a gold-medal winning heptathlete extraordinaire, could certainly give me some great tips on how to become better at multi-tasking!
Which Yorkshire stage or screen star, past or present, would you like to take for dinner?
I’m currently painting Judi Dench as part of my latest project #whatevertheysaid. I’m a great fan of her and was over the moon to get the OK to paint her. I think she’s an incredible, inspiring woman. She’s worked all over the world, on stage and in film, and would have some amazing stories to tell over dinner.
If you had to name your Yorkshire hidden gem, what would it be?
There’s a local café called Vera’s in Darton. It’s run by a Thai lady called May. She does fantastic Thai dishes as well as typical Yorkshire grub. We eat there a lot or get takeaways, which gives us a nice break from running our supper club, The Bolted Horse, which we run through word of mouth via friends.
What do you think gives Yorkshire its unique identity?
It has to be its people. I’ve lived in many places and travelled a lot and I’ve never lived anywhere where I’ve felt at home as much as Yorkshire. Yorkshire didn’t make me but it might have made me.
Do you follow sport in the county, and if so, what?
Is beekeeping a sport? Living in Barnsley, dare I follow anyone else apart from Barnsley FC? Come on you Reds!
Do you have a favourite restaurant or pub?
We are foodies and cooking bores so we’re usually at home cooking for others in our pop-up supper club, or stocking up the homemade meat smoker.
When we do go out our favourite local pub is The Talbot Inn in Mapplewell. They serve great food and a decent pint.
Do you have a favourite food shop?
I tend to shop a lot online and we have a large allotment. Cannon Hall farm shop is one of our favourites though.
They do a great range of meats, breads and all those random things you like to buy if you’re into food.
How do you think that Yorkshire has changed, for better or for worse, in the time that you have known I?
I settled here 14 years ago and I think it’s changed for the better in many ways.
From an artist’s point of view there are now great places to visit like The Civic where you can see world class exhibitions and performances.
From a foodie’s perspective there’s a more diverse range of food shops.
Barnsley market is great. They’re in the process of developing the market area so this should bring more people back into the town and will support local business and produce.