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William Chamber's lovely pagoda was built at Kew Gardens in the eighteenth century. It has had a chequered history. Originally golden dragons hung from each gable but these had to be sold to pay off the Prince Regent's gambling debts. During the second world war holes were cut in the middle of each floor to create a way of testing how the tail fins of bombs might work.
However I knew none of this when I fell in love with this gorgeous building when I must have been about three years old. Living in Fulham it was a short step to Kew - a step sometimes taken on the District Line and sometimes by Green Line bus. (Hence the choice of green and yellow in the print). I still return to Kew and this picture the starting point for an exhibition next year about special places.
Places of Pilgrimage will be shown at Southwell Minster in September 2016 and will comprise paintings and prints of a whole host of places which are important for all sorts of reasons.
If you have a special place you love to return to please let me know - I'm looking for ideas now. Email me by CLICKING HERE
If you would like a copy of this print the image size is 11" x 7". Send an email to Masham Gallery if you want to know more by CLICKING HERE
However I knew none of this when I fell in love with this gorgeous building when I must have been about three years old. Living in Fulham it was a short step to Kew - a step sometimes taken on the District Line and sometimes by Green Line bus. (Hence the choice of green and yellow in the print). I still return to Kew and this picture the starting point for an exhibition next year about special places.
Places of Pilgrimage will be shown at Southwell Minster in September 2016 and will comprise paintings and prints of a whole host of places which are important for all sorts of reasons.
If you have a special place you love to return to please let me know - I'm looking for ideas now. Email me by CLICKING HERE
If you would like a copy of this print the image size is 11" x 7". Send an email to Masham Gallery if you want to know more by CLICKING HERE
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This is my new screen print of 30, St Mary Axe in the City of London - formerly known as the Swiss RE building and mostly known as the Gherkin.
Its been one of my favourite buildings in London for a while. I love the way the framework twists around the contours of the building, I love the way the light catches it in different ways and I love way it contrasts with the older buildings of the city - particularly the medieval church in the foreground.
This is a hand pulled three colour reduction print, each layer created by painting on the screen with screen blocking fluid so the picture is created in negative.
I like to keep editions short and this one is an edition of 13 plus one artist's proof with a slightly different colour final layer. The print size is
an image of 17mm x 24mm on rough watercolour paper 28mm x 38mm.
The Gherkin is priced at £119.
If you'd like a copy send an email by CLICKING HERE.
Its been one of my favourite buildings in London for a while. I love the way the framework twists around the contours of the building, I love the way the light catches it in different ways and I love way it contrasts with the older buildings of the city - particularly the medieval church in the foreground.
This is a hand pulled three colour reduction print, each layer created by painting on the screen with screen blocking fluid so the picture is created in negative.
I like to keep editions short and this one is an edition of 13 plus one artist's proof with a slightly different colour final layer. The print size is
an image of 17mm x 24mm on rough watercolour paper 28mm x 38mm.
The Gherkin is priced at £119.
If you'd like a copy send an email by CLICKING HERE.
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For a long time people were not keen to buy art online and then, a few years ago, something changed their minds. These days I am approached for paintings and prints by way of Masham Gallery website, my Facebook and Twitter connections, through the various other gallery websites where my work appears and through this site. In addition there are a number of art outlets that start up every year - the only problem is knowing which ones to use. There's Etsy and Folksy for the craft end of the market and Saatchi for the more out there stuff but I've recently set up on a well established platform: Artfinder.
Artfinder seems to offer one of the easiest buying systems and it also seems to attract some very good artists. So I've put up a selection of some of my favourite paintings and prints, including those above and below. I hope you see something you like. To visit CLICK HERE
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Nearly three years ago I set out on a journey to discover stories of the Yorkshire Dales and then visit the places where they were set. I was looking for special places that had inspired legends or were the set for great stories. I found them in abundance and wrote a book: Tales of the Dales. I also staged an exhibition of the paintings, which led to a second exhibition. This, in turn, led to a commission from the renowned gastro-pub The Angel (at Hetton) asking me to paint a group of pictures and write a book of locally based stories.
So I'd been researching the area between Grassington and Skipton and coming up with a pile of interesting tales (and some great painting locations) when the Grassington Festival asked me to talk about stories from the Dales and how they feed into my work. Therefore on June 25th I'll be speaking about what I've been doing and telling some stories at a special lunch at the Angel. If you would like to join me tickets are available from the Grassington Festival. For details and to book CLICK HERE
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My current exhibition - The High Country - finishes next week on the 18th June. Its a collection of paintings about the areas around the head of Wensleydale and the glorious three peaks. This is Penyghent, above, where I had my first taste of the Pennine landscape which has been my home for the last 27 years.
The exhibition is at Herriot's Gallery, Hawes in Wensleydale, DL8 3QW.
Opening times are : 10 - 4 Sunday: 11 - 4 Wednesday: closed
(Open by appointment at other times)
If you get to see it drop me n email and let me know what you think.
The exhibition is at Herriot's Gallery, Hawes in Wensleydale, DL8 3QW.
Opening times are : 10 - 4 Sunday: 11 - 4 Wednesday: closed
(Open by appointment at other times)
If you get to see it drop me n email and let me know what you think.
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I've got a new exhibition which opened this week:
The High Country
Paintings of the Pennine landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales .
May 21st - June 18th. 2014
Herriot's Gallery, Hawes, North Yorkshire.
DL8 3QW
Opening times: 10 - 4 Sunday: 11 - 4 Wednesday: closed
(Open by appointment at other times)
I've been working on The High Country since last September. Its an exhibition very close to my heart because it centres on the parts of the Dales I first knew and grew to love. For me one of the greatest pleasures of living in Yorkshire is the thrill of climbing a big hill and looking at the landscape from a high viewpoint. This exhibition, thanks to the kind invitation of Glenn at Herriot's Gallery in Hawes, has given me to celebrate this in paint.
To see a large selection of the paintings from the exhibition CLICK HERE
The High Country
Paintings of the Pennine landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales .
May 21st - June 18th. 2014
Herriot's Gallery, Hawes, North Yorkshire.
DL8 3QW
Opening times: 10 - 4 Sunday: 11 - 4 Wednesday: closed
(Open by appointment at other times)
I've been working on The High Country since last September. Its an exhibition very close to my heart because it centres on the parts of the Dales I first knew and grew to love. For me one of the greatest pleasures of living in Yorkshire is the thrill of climbing a big hill and looking at the landscape from a high viewpoint. This exhibition, thanks to the kind invitation of Glenn at Herriot's Gallery in Hawes, has given me to celebrate this in paint.
To see a large selection of the paintings from the exhibition CLICK HERE
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Elvet Bridge, Durham
There are certain places which draw you back and, for me, Durham is one of those. Although I haven't lived in the city since the early 1980s I return frequently, still moved by its glorious skyline which John Ruskin called the eighth wonder of the world.
Elvet Bridge is old, a medieval survival, and one of the few bridges in Britain which still has houses built on it. At one end of the bridge is a dark archway - the entrance to the House of Correction - a forerunner of Durham gaol.
The print is a six colour reduction screen print which shows the view from upstream of the city.
This will be one of a number of prints which will be on show at Printed by Hand - part of Masham's Spring event, Crafted by Hand, on 25th and 26th of May in Masham Town Hall.
For more details about Crafted by Hand CLICK HERE.
There are certain places which draw you back and, for me, Durham is one of those. Although I haven't lived in the city since the early 1980s I return frequently, still moved by its glorious skyline which John Ruskin called the eighth wonder of the world.
Elvet Bridge is old, a medieval survival, and one of the few bridges in Britain which still has houses built on it. At one end of the bridge is a dark archway - the entrance to the House of Correction - a forerunner of Durham gaol.
The print is a six colour reduction screen print which shows the view from upstream of the city.
This will be one of a number of prints which will be on show at Printed by Hand - part of Masham's Spring event, Crafted by Hand, on 25th and 26th of May in Masham Town Hall.
For more details about Crafted by Hand CLICK HERE.
Masham, Evening
The second new print is a view of Masham from the East side of Wenleydale. Beyond the fifteenth century spire of St Mary's church are the hills of the Burn Valley and Colsterdale. This is the view I see most of the time when I return home.
The print is an eight colour reduction screen print.
If you would like to enquire about purchasing a print CLICK HERE.
The second new print is a view of Masham from the East side of Wenleydale. Beyond the fifteenth century spire of St Mary's church are the hills of the Burn Valley and Colsterdale. This is the view I see most of the time when I return home.
The print is an eight colour reduction screen print.
If you would like to enquire about purchasing a print CLICK HERE.
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One of my favourite subjects over the years has been Lady Hill in Wensleydale. Driving up the Dale the road takes you through the viollage of Aysgarth and then, as you drive on towards Hawes, Ladyhill is there ahead of you. It’s very distinctive, crowned with a group of elderly Scots pines.
For a long time I have been trying to find out more about the hill. It was planted with tree’s to celebrate one of Queen Vctoria’s jubilees (still not sure which one) but I had heard hints that there was more to the place than that.
Ladyhill, Wensleydale
Watercolour
For a long time I have been trying to find out more about the hill. It was planted with tree’s to celebrate one of Queen Vctoria’s jubilees (still not sure which one) but I had heard hints that there was more to the place than that.
Ladyhill, Wensleydale
Watercolour
A few days ago I was teaching an art group and, during a local history discussion, an unlikely story emerged: Ladyhill used to be famous for black rabbits which were sold to the Czar of Russia.
I went away and did some research on the excellent Out of Oblivion website and a few other places. There was a purpose built rabbit warren with a high enclosure wall at Ladyhill. The wall was both to keep specially-bred rabbits in and to keep local wild rabbits from getting amongst them and doing what rabbits do so well.
Moon Over Ladyhill
Watercolour
I went away and did some research on the excellent Out of Oblivion website and a few other places. There was a purpose built rabbit warren with a high enclosure wall at Ladyhill. The wall was both to keep specially-bred rabbits in and to keep local wild rabbits from getting amongst them and doing what rabbits do so well.
Moon Over Ladyhill
Watercolour
The rabbits in the warren were a variety that was born with black fur. As they matured the fur turned to silver. Both types of pelt were farmed and sold to the hat trade – and some of them regularly went to Russia. The trade began in the eighteenth century and continued to the 1930s. The local Wensleydale Railway (parts of it are still running) was used to take the pelts away in the latter part of this business.
Ladyhill
Limited Edition Print
Ladyhill
Limited Edition Print
I’ve recently done two paintings of Ladyhill (the ones at the top of the page) that are featured in The High Country – my next exhibition - which is at Herriot’s Gallery, Hawes from May 21st.
For details CLICK HERE.
I’ve also done a screen print of Ladyhill in winter and a limited edition print of Ladyhill, (above and left) both of which are available from the Masham Gallery.
To contact CLICK HERE.
More of my work is always available at The Masham Gallery
CLICK HERE to visit
Winter, Ladyhill
Screen Print
For details CLICK HERE.
I’ve also done a screen print of Ladyhill in winter and a limited edition print of Ladyhill, (above and left) both of which are available from the Masham Gallery.
To contact CLICK HERE.
More of my work is always available at The Masham Gallery
CLICK HERE to visit
Winter, Ladyhill
Screen Print
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Before I lost my heart to art I was going to be an engineer like my father. My Dad made electricity. He ran a power station which supplied the juice for the London Underground. Occasionally, usually on a Sunday, he would take me to work with him. This was a big thrill. We would get off the train at Wembley Park, go down the slope at the end of the platform and then walk beside the tracks to Neasden power station.
I found it all fascinating, from the rotating drum which emptied the coal from the railway trucks to the shiny dials of the control room, from the chemical lab where incoming coal was analysed to the huge green Parson's steam turbines which made the electricity.
It was a hard decision but, having got the necessary O levels in physics, chemistry and maths, I changed horses and saddled up for a life in the arts.
Something however stayed with me - a love of the grimy world of industry. On leaving Durham University I was lucky enough to get a year's placement at Beamish museum where I really got a chance to understand industrial archeology. Beamish introduced me to coal mining and gave me the opportunity to travel around the North East just as the pits, the coking plants and the rail yards were disappearing.
I found it all fascinating, from the rotating drum which emptied the coal from the railway trucks to the shiny dials of the control room, from the chemical lab where incoming coal was analysed to the huge green Parson's steam turbines which made the electricity.
It was a hard decision but, having got the necessary O levels in physics, chemistry and maths, I changed horses and saddled up for a life in the arts.
Something however stayed with me - a love of the grimy world of industry. On leaving Durham University I was lucky enough to get a year's placement at Beamish museum where I really got a chance to understand industrial archeology. Beamish introduced me to coal mining and gave me the opportunity to travel around the North East just as the pits, the coking plants and the rail yards were disappearing.
And now, every so often, I spend a few days working on industrial subjects. To me they are as beautiful and dramatic as any natural landscape. They come wreathed in smoke, or as ruins as eloquent as any Yorkshire abbey.
Among my favourite subjects are the steel works at Redcar, the bridges over the Tees and Tyne and (a nod to my London roots) the huge brick edifice of Battersea power station.
The three paintings here are, from top to bottom, Battersea, Redcar and the pylons of the National Grid.
Among my favourite subjects are the steel works at Redcar, the bridges over the Tees and Tyne and (a nod to my London roots) the huge brick edifice of Battersea power station.
The three paintings here are, from top to bottom, Battersea, Redcar and the pylons of the National Grid.
If you would like to see some more I've put up a page of my industrial pictures on my website. CLICK HERE for a visit.
There are also usually a few available at The Masham Gallery. CLICK HERE to visit their site.
I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I enjoyed making them.
There are also usually a few available at The Masham Gallery. CLICK HERE to visit their site.
I hope you enjoy looking at the pictures as much as I enjoyed making them.
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When I came to Durham to study in 1973 the city captivated me: the iconic cathedral and castle, the viaduct, the churches.
I had never lived anywhere hilly before, and now, everywhere I looked, I saw a series of amazing skylines.
I have been fascinated by townscapes ever since: the way the angles of chimneys make shapes against the sky, the way silhouettes recede one after the other, the interplay of horizontal roofs and vertical spires.
This is Durham from Western Hill
I had never lived anywhere hilly before, and now, everywhere I looked, I saw a series of amazing skylines.
I have been fascinated by townscapes ever since: the way the angles of chimneys make shapes against the sky, the way silhouettes recede one after the other, the interplay of horizontal roofs and vertical spires.
This is Durham from Western Hill
Everywhere I go the repeating patterns and geometric forms create different characters - some just begging to be painted and others not quite hitting the mark.
I've been thinking about it a lot recently because I'm teaching a course on townscapes this week at Artison, near Masham.
So here are some of my favourites from the last few years.
This is Askrigg, in Wensleydale, with Addleborough on the horizon. Its from my forthcoming exhibition at Herriot's Gallery in Hawes. More details: CLICK HERE
I've been thinking about it a lot recently because I'm teaching a course on townscapes this week at Artison, near Masham.
So here are some of my favourites from the last few years.
This is Askrigg, in Wensleydale, with Addleborough on the horizon. Its from my forthcoming exhibition at Herriot's Gallery in Hawes. More details: CLICK HERE
This is Whitby.
This week's course is full up but I have some other courses coming up which have vacancies:
Painting With Inks Thursday, 10th April
CLICK HERE to book a place
Watercolour Landscapes
(4 x 2.5 hour morning sessions)
Thursday, 24th April 2014, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm + 24 Apr, 01, 08 and 15 May.
CLICK HERE to book a place.
If you're interested in any of the pictures CLICK HERE to contact me.
Don't miss my Facebook page for updates on what I'm working on. CLICK HERE to get there.
This week's course is full up but I have some other courses coming up which have vacancies:
Painting With Inks Thursday, 10th April
CLICK HERE to book a place
Watercolour Landscapes
(4 x 2.5 hour morning sessions)
Thursday, 24th April 2014, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm + 24 Apr, 01, 08 and 15 May.
CLICK HERE to book a place.
If you're interested in any of the pictures CLICK HERE to contact me.
Don't miss my Facebook page for updates on what I'm working on. CLICK HERE to get there.