September Exhibition starts this Sunday at the Yurt Gallery.

Bowfell

I'm making some preparations for my coming Exhibition which starts this Sunday 23rd September at The Yurt Gallery. It is located between the Tea Room and the Campsite within the beautiful grounds of the old Rydal Hall Estate. The opening times are between 10am and 5pm daily until 30th September 2012. I'm hoping to set up a painting space where I can work in the warmth of the woodburning stove. Unless we have a late heatwave! Fingers crossed.

Skye sketching and climbing

Elgol is an inspiring place, for climbing as well as sketching. We were blessed with such lovely weather for most of the week. From Elgol you can take a boat trip into Loch Scavaig which must be one of the most spectacular places in Britain, bringing you right into the centre of the Cuilin Hills. I went many years ago as a child, we sailed into Loch Scavaig, watching the seals basking on the rocks, as they watched us! I had never seen landscape like this before, walking into the nearby Loch Coruisk, it had quite a presence. It must have made a lasting impression on me. I keep returning and I'm always inspired.

 Sketch of Sgurr na Stri and Loch Scavaig.

Cubby having a bouldering session, followed later by some photography.

Three drawings of a Larch Tree

An early start on a Monday morning took me onto the fell to exercise, but not just walking. After finding a nice spot to sit down (a great start to a sunny Monday morning), I shut my eyes for a couple of minutes, opened them and immediately started to draw. With biro held loosely I started to translate onto paper what my eye quickly picked out. The emphasis was not to look down at the paper until I'm done drawing. I didn't allow myself to use any other materials other than a biro and a bit of scrap paper.  

Quite an interesting image, and not too disappointing.

 

First attempt.

The second attempt, I peeked a little.

Third attempt - Totally cheated by peeking, and using graphite and watercolour.

New Style Website.

A Future painting

I've just launched my new look website to show off my prints which are now available. An Exhibition is planned in the near future at the Mill Yard Studio - Staveley. Dates to be confirmed. Meanwhile, don't forget to checkout my new blog which is directly attached to my site.

Yurt 2011

It's that time of year again, with the anticipation of warm balmy weather (I hope) and plenty of visitors, I'm holding another exhibition in The Yurt Gallery. Opening times are between 10am till 5pm up until Friday 12th August 2011. I will be closed Tuesday. There will be prints and cards for sale along with some original paintings. The Gallery is at Rydal Hall which is approx 2 miles North of Ambleside on the A591. There is a lovely tea room nearby with home made cakes which I'm trying to resist (for now).

Sketch notes from Rum

The Cuillin of Rum

The Isle of Rum is a wild landscape with varied geology and abundance of wildlife. I've just returned from a backpacking trip to the island and I must say we where very lucky with the weather, and the least rare of all species THE MIDGE. This enabled a friend Fran and myself to enjoy great camping, fantastic sunsets, sketch without scratching and being driven mad, and experience one of Scotland's finest ridges, the Rum Cuillin.

A couple of images from my sketchbook.

Guirdil Bothy and Bloodstone Hill.

Descent to Harris from Trollabhal.

The name Trollabhal comes from the Norse name Troll Mountain. The name derives from the early settlers who thought the noises of the Manx Shearwaters hidden in their underground burrows where Trolls.

I don't remember ever seeing a sunset like this one with the Isle of Canna in the foreground. Big skies and elusive distant showers.

New Exhibition - four

Joy GRINDROD David PENN Sally TOMS Pam WILLIAMSON

Four contrasted contempory artists

take inspiration from the physical and human landscapes

in this exhibition of new works.

20 May - 12 June 2011 Wednesdays - Sundays, 11 - 4pm

Mill Yard Studios

Staveley, Kendal LA8 9R . 01539 721836