May 7th – June 19th, 2016
Opening, May 7th, 2 – 5pm
Artist Statement
My love of landscape is the driving force behind all my paintings. I am inspired by the drama of rapidly changing weather, light and colour. In particular, I am fascinated by the Peak District as I walk along its rugged edges and pathways. I aim to capture movement, intense light and atmosphere- particularly glowing horizons, wild skies, receding hills and textured foregrounds. My intention is to create an emotional response to landscape and successfully negotiate the delicate balance between representation and abstraction. My paintings are not usually depictions of a particular scene, although I do sometimes refer to the sketches I have made as I walk the landscape. My work draws on memory and imagination. Paintings emerge over time as I layer colour to create texture, movement, light effects and tone. In addition, I scrape, scratch, drip and rework the paint until the process itself takes over
About the artist
I studied Fine Art in Exeter, graduating in 1975. Since then I have lived, worked and painted on the outskirts of the Peak District. I paint full time in a studio at home as well as teaching art classes on an occasional basis. My work has been exhibited and sold regularly nationally and throughout the North and Midlands.
Recent shows and selected exhibitions
Derbyshire Open Art, Buxton – highly commended;
‘Sheffield in the Frame’ – Winter Gardens, Sheffield;
Royal West of England, Bristol;
Ferens Gallery Hull;
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Open all Media;
Artists Open Studios Sheffield and South Yorkshire;
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists Prize exhibition;
Professional stand in Art in the Gardens Sheffield
Great North Art Show Ripon;
Art Barn, Old Rectory Preston Bagot, Henley in Arden;
Old Station Gallery, Rowsley, Derbyshire;
Midlands Open Tarpey Gallery;
Featured Artist, Derwent Gallery, Grindleford, Derbyshire;
Bessemer Gallery, Sheffield;
Cupola Gallery, Sheffield;
St John St Gallery, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.