I’m going to take part in the Ilkley Arts Christmas Fair this year. ‘Ilkley Arts’ serves a region rich in highly talented professional artists and designers - and some very gifted amateurs! The range and quality of work on display and for sale will be superb and it’s taking place in Ilkley’s beautiful and historic Manor House - worth a visit in its own right! So - if you’re doing nothing next weekend come along and say hello!
NEW 'OLD' PRINTS
In recent months I’ve had inquires regarding prints, two in particular, the editions of which have sold out. I have always had a bit of antipathy towards having Giglee prints made of my work. I get annoyed when I see such prints being passed off as ‘original’ limited edition pieces of artwork and sold at exorbitant prices to an unsuspecting public. I have also felt that there is an intrinsic quality to lino prints that cannot be truly captured by a mass printing process.
That being said, having been encouraged to explore this avenue by individuals keen to have particular images, and hearing about a printers (John Mason’s of Skipton) with the necessary expertise, I decided to give it a go. I’m really pleased with the results and have decided to put them on to the website. They will be in limited editions and will be clearly described for what they are, Giglee prints of reduction lino print originals.
The prints I’m trialing in this way are ‘Cycle Race - Leeds’ (Places - Miscellaneous) and ‘Swinsty Lodge’ (Buildings)
The Curious Fledgling Crow.
The Curious Fledgling Crow
Read MoreCRAVEN ARTS 'SKIPTON ART TRAIL'
Craven Arts Skipton Art Trail. Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th August
Read MoreTHE ILLUSTRATED GARDEN
THE ILLUSTRATED GARDEN
Read MoreEXHIBITION OPENING
My solo exhibition 'Capturing the Moment' opened with a preview on Friday evening at the Mill Bridge Gallery in Skipton. Lots of positive comments, a couple of sales and a lot of wine consumed! The exhibition runs until the 7th of July. Unfortunately, the gallery is currently only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Come along if you have the chance!
LEEDS PRINT FAIR 2018
I shall be showing my work at the Leeds Print Fair on Saturday 9th June at Trinity Church in Boar Lane. If you're passing by, call in and say hello!
'CAPTURING THE MOMENT'
Through the auspices of CRAVEN ARTS I'm having a 'one man' exhibition at the MILL BRIDGE GALLERY in SKIPTON from the 8th of June to the 7th July 2018.
Called 'CAPTURING THE MOMENT' it will reflect the work I've been doing over the last few years - and my rather 'scatter gun' approach to subject matter!
We're having a preview/ meet the artist session on the 8th June between 6 and 8pm and it would be really good to see you there. (bring a bottle!)
A NEW PRINT
I've just completed this my latest print called 'Stonechats'. I used fourteen colours/hues over eleven reduction stages, masking areas of the print out with tissue paper shapes when necessary. The print details can be found in the 'Garden Birds' section ( I will be changing this title to 'Garden, Field and Moorland Birds' as soon as I can learn how to edit my website without it all disappearing!).
A NEW PRINT.
I've just completed a print based on our recent extraordinary trip up the coast of Norway. Called 'Squall - Norwegian Seascape', it's the first of a series I plan to do over the coming months.
A NEW PRINT
I've just completed this my latest reduction lino print. They are Australian Superb Fairy Wrens. Because of the range of colours, hues and tones involved it took twenty printing stages to complete over nearly three months. The print can be found in the Garden Birds section of this site.
'NOT JUST HOCKNEY' EXHIBITION, BRADFORD
A second 'Not Just Hockney' Exhibition is taking place over the next two months in Centenary Square in Bradford. The theme is 'Animals, Wildlife and Nature' and images of a range of artists' work will be projected onto the big screen in the square. I'm pleased to say that three of my prints have been selected!
Gyr.
Bullfinches.
Wren.
MY LATEST PRINT.
I completed this piece just days before Christmas. An eleven colour reduction print, it is based on the scene that confronted me near where I live on Boxing Day 2015. The river had risen four metres in just 12 hours causing significant structural damage along its length not least of which was the enormous number of mature trees that were uprooted creating a watery chaos! I've included my previous print based on the Wharfe at Addingham, just fifty metres and sixth months apart!
ILKLEY ARTS MANOR HOUSE CHRISTMAS FAIR
Ikley Arts Christmas Fair is this weekend!! (2nd & 3rd December) For the first time, this event will be in Ikley Manor House. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to pick up those rather special presents from the work of the excellent artists, designers and craftspeople who will be there.
The fair is open from 9.00am. to 5.00pm . each day
Craven Arts Christmas Exhibition
It seems too early to be really thinking about Christmas yet but I've just taken some of my prints to Skipton Town Hall's gallery in preparation for Craven Arts Christmas exhibition. Opening on the 11th November and running until the 23rd December, it's going to be a super exhibition, reflecting the enormous breadth, depth and quality of creative endeavour in the area. It will be well worth a visit!
THE ILKLEY ART TRAIL 2017 STARTS TOMORROW!
I got my display up this morning at my venue for the Art Trail - Ilkley Manor House. Rather less space that I was expecting but I'm sharing the venue with five other excellent artist/designers, including a renowned'spurtle' maker! The Trail is open from the 5th to 8th October so do come and say hello if you can!
Print Workshop
Had another reduction lino printing workshop this morning in my small studio. Super people, lovely work, the session went by in a flash!
THE ILKLEY ART TRAIL 2017
A date for your diaries - 5th - 8th October 2017, the Ilkley Art Trail will be taking place! Over 60 artist/designers in over 30 locations, it will be bigger and better than ever before with all sorts of extra events and exhibitions! I will be based at the Manor House. In use as an Art Trail venue for the first time, this beautiful Elizabethan house is well worth a visit in its own right. Along with other new work will be this my latest piece, 'Wild Flower Meadow - Upper Wharfedale', a 16 colour/hue, 40 x 30cm. reduction linoprint.
