Exhibition at Gallery 45

What a busy weekend. I had an invite from Victoria Anderson, MD of Art Evolution, to a Private Viewing on Saturday to be held at Gallery 45 in Felton, Northumberland. The exhibiting artists were to be David Utting, Glynnis Carter and Alan Stone all members of Art Evolution, an online art gallery showcasing the work of contemporary UK artists.

We set off in time to 'do lunch' before arriving at the preview which was from 2- 4pm. Some beautiful scenery was taken in on the way up, we had a brief encounter with Alnwick when the TomTom decided to go a bit odd (personally I think that had more to do with the man inputting the info, but enough said). However we finally arrived at the Northumberland Arms, Felton for lunch. At this point we were both a tad 'hangry' as they say. What a warm and welcoming interior. Included were friendly and helpful staff , homemade  coeliac friendly food and of course the obligatory glass of vino. Oh yes and a wonderful log burner. Thoroughly recommend if you are in the area.

On to the gallery and exhibition. Gallery 45 was originally a pub but now, as well as the exhibition space, houses a lovely gift shop, runs workshops and has 8 resident artists' studios. It was lovely to meet Victoria, I always think it is nice to put a face to a name, who runs Art Evolution from her offices in Felton itself. The three artists presenting their work were diverse in style, which I think would appeal to varying tastes.

 Alan Stones is a painter and a printmaker based in Northern England. The work included in the exhibition, although minimalist and perhaps stark at first glance, is on closer examination incredibly detailed and has a quiet beauty about it. My personal favourite was 'Vernal Pool', a lithograph.
 

Vernal Pool by Alan Stones

Glynnis Carter's landscape paintings are on a much larger scale. To fully appreciate the impact of the immense landscapes and rock formations portrayed I felt they were best viewed from a distance. Although not familiar with Northumberland I was transported back to the drive up to Felton and a poignant sense of the landscape and distant snowcaps.

Evening Light 2 by Glynnis Carter

 David Utting is a painter based in North Yorkshire reknowned for his scenes of Whitby and surrounding area. He uses strong line and colour coupled with an eye for detail to portray the familiar red rooftops and boats of this bustling fishing port.

Nobby's Pride by David Utting

 If you get the opportunity Gallery 45 is well worth a visit and the artwork diverse and interesting.

Christmas Pop Up Shop

Last night I spent a lovely evening at the preview for Creative Up North's first ever Pop Up Shop.
The shop, which runs from 4th to 7th  December 10am - 6pm, is the brainchild of the hub's Creative Director Sarah Davy. On arriving at the hub I was made to feel most welcome, the wine and mince pie really helped, and it was great to meet and chat to some of the artists. Sarah has done a great job setting out the shop which is full of visual and tactile goodies, I definitely felt I wanted to explore to see what wonders I could find.You can follow what's happening at the hub on Facebook too.

I best mention the welcome warmth of the cappuccino from  Hairy Bear Coffee, thank you it was lovely.

To give you an idea of some of the delightful treasures in store for you on a visit to the shop, I  thought  a few photos were in order. So here's a selection taken on my mobile, I apologise in advance for the quality!
                                                                                                                                                  
     

 

                                           
        

                                    

                                                                                                                                                                

Links to some of the artists participating in the Pop Up Shop. Please let me know if I have missed anyone so I can add them.

 Jennifer Wyse Art and Design                            Emily Faulkner Photography
 Missus Print                                                        Lindy's Loops
Jessica Kinnersley Textiles                                   Low Moon Over High Town                    
Tynemouth Book Art                                            Russ Coleman
Jessica Jewellery Design                                      Sea Drift Design
Pretender to the Throne                                       Muro Buro                                                    
Britt's Litle Paper Shop                                        Flip Stitch Knit
Heart & Sew                                                         Lena Archbold - Textile Art and Design
Hilburyhouse Design                                            Blinkin' Imp
Sea of Rivers Sea Glass Creations                       

Art and Yorkshire at the Mercer Gallery

Had a fab day out in Harrogate with my friend Alice on Thursday. We went to see Art and Yorkshire: From Turner to Hockney. I thought it was a wonderful exhibition which introduced me to a few artists I hadn't come across before, as well as giving me the pleasure of revisiting some pieces by some more familiar ones!

Hockney always inspires me and I have to admit I came home with a lovely little book 'A Yorkshire Sketchbook', having managed to convince myself I had been working extra hard recently and deserved a treat!

I particularly liked this one although the detail is lost here, a 1989 print in the artists private collection. I love the gathering of separate moments that go to make up the whole as we are invited into the varying scenes, such as the windows with differing interiors and the cyclist on the right hand side. Oh yes, and what is the shadowy figure in the foreground up to?

I was also very taken with the work of Constance Pearson, again perhaps because we are invited in to a scene reminiscent of the Dutch genre painters. 'Morning Tea' - an everyday domestic scene, is a snapshot of a moment cleverly reflected back at us as if we are the hand about to drink the tea. Likewise in de Hooch's 'A Woman Peeling Apples' the mirrored cupboard above the seated figure serves as the device as to which the scene is reflected back to us  This in turn brings me to Bonnard who never ceases to evoke my total admiration as an artist and master of the everyday. In his 'Cherry Pie' it is the dog greedily peeking over the table edge at the pie that serves as the mirror; which unnervingly draws us into this simple scene.




Constance Pearson - Morning Tea

de Hooch - A Woman Peeling Apples

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     


Bonnard - Cherry Pie

 Back to the exhibition...



John Piper

Lydia Bauman

            and of course...                                                                      

JMW Turner

All in all we both came away feeling revitalised and inspired by this wonderful exhibition - Thank you Mercer Gallery!