27th September – 8th November,
Opening Night, 27th September, 6 – 8pm.
Oil on canvas, 97 x 127cm, £3,500 - Sold
Oli on canvas, 92 x 92cm, £3,000 - Sold
Oil on canvas, 32 x 42cm, £745
Oli on canvas, 77 x 77cm, £2,500
Oli on canvas, 15 x 30cm £280
Oil on canvas, 61 x 78cm, £2,000
Oli on canvas, 42 x 52cm, £800
Oil on board, 10 x 28cm, £260
Oli on canvas, 46 x 68cm, £1,000
Oil on board, 15 x 30cm, £280
Oli on canvas, 25 x30cm, £425
Oil on canvas, 30 x 25cm, £395
Oli on canvas, 30 x 25cm, £475
Oli on canvas, 77 x 102 cm, £3,000
Oil on board, 10 x 23cm £250
Oli on canvas, 20 x 20cm, £300
Tarpey Gallery is thrilled to host an exhibition of new work by Colin Halliday from 27th September – 1st November, 2014. Painted on location in his native Derbyshire, these new works are not only a reflection of the joy of being in the landscape but also a celebration of the very essence of paint itself.
“Apart from the sheer joy of being there seeing all the beauty and experiencing all the elements which is enough in itself, I think the sense of light I get in my painting far exceeds what I can do in the studio.”
Colin Halliday, 2014
The subject matter concerns itself with the classic English landscape; streams, rivers, hedgerows places that could be almost anywhere in England. This conscious choice within the composition of the work stems from a need to elevate the painting to being more about the actual process of painting itself and less about where the view is, this new work is, above all else about the application of paint.
“I started painting outdoors seven years ago and it has gradually built up to the point where that is nearly all I do. How and what materials I use has changed a lot in an attempt to find my way into this glorious subject matter. Gone are the accidents, drips and smudges to be replaced for the last two years by a thick generous application of oil paint. A conscious decision that the accidents were a step removed and had become too easy almost that if I had continued it would become formulaic and too easy. It felt removed because it wasn’t all in my control and making each mark more directly feels closer, more honest, hand made and unique.”
Colin Halliday, 2014
Tarpey Gallery Director, Luke Tarpey says of the exhibition “This is an inspiring new body of work by one of the regions most exciting painters, this is not to be missed by collectors and enthusiasts alike.”
This will be Colin’s first solo exhibition with us at Tarpey Gallery so to find out a little more about this deeply passionate and accomplished painter gallery director Luke Tarpey travelled to the artists derbyshire based studio for an enlightening chat.
Firstly, please could you tell us a little about your background and what led to you becoming a full time painter?
I was born in 1964 and brought up on a farm near Appleby in Cumbria. After leaving school I drifted through many jobs until at 21, I decided to do something that I enjoyed with my life. Went back to school got some O levels and applied to college at Carlisle and went on to a degree at Exeter graduating in 1992. Started teaching in 1998 but it was obvious I was making more money from selling art, and given that’s what I wanted to do I went full time as an artist in 2000.
Do you set out to paint a particular scene or are you inspired by what you see while you are out in the landscape?
I do usually have an idea where I am going each day and that is sometimes determined by what I have seen recently on my travels around Derbyshire, or the weather, clear blue sky means the valleys, sunny and cloudy means hill tops, rain might mean woods or still life.
What’s the one thing you’ve done in the last few years that has made the most difference in how you work today?
Well its actually a couple of things, firstly painting on location , this has been building for the last seven years to the point where three years ago I started to do all my paintings en plein air. I struggled for four years going out trying to find a way in that really worked for me. My application has radically changed from ten years ago. Another key thing is I have stripped my palette back to a warm and cool of the primaries and Titanium white.
What are the logistical implications of painting outdoors?
The logistics are its hard work, really hard. I have about 5 -7 litres of oil paint, my easel, rags, palette knifes, my flask of tea and sandwiches in a rucksack and let me tell you after a half mile walk with that you feel like your walking on air when you take it off. I also carry a fold up camping table in one hand which is my palette and a large canvas or box of smaller canvases in the other hand.
Over the course of your extensive career as a painter what subject matter do you enjoy painting the most and what in your experience is the most challenging subject to paint?
Well obviously I love the landscape best, it’s just so endless and inspiring. The hardest subject is the portrait from life … no photos allowed, then we’ll see who can paint!!! Photographs slavishly copied are the worst aspect of Modern Art and have no individuality about them and stop artists using their creativity.
If you could choose one location anywhere in the world to travel to that you haven’t yet painted where would it be?
I know your going to think this is sad but if I could go somewhere I still haven’t been and paint it would be the west coast of Scotland with guaranteed sunshine and clouds.