Viridian Gallery 'Mountain High' exhibition.

Mountain High 

Saturday 23rd April – Sunday 5^th June

Viridian Gallery Keswick 

I have  exhibited at Viridian Gallery for nearly fifteen years and was delighted to be asked to paint a collection of work for the Spotlight on Exhibition 'Mountain High'. From an early age I discovered a  great love of painting outdoors, Enjoying  walking amongst inspiring high fell and mountain scenery led me to paint what I really love, capturing dramatic light conditions on lakes, mountain ridges and tarns, especially in winter moods. 

After a break of eighteen months living in the French Alps, I have come back to the Lake District with fresh eyes full of inspiration for painting the scenery I truly love. Walking in wild winter weather to locations, feeling the conditions and taking in the magnificent atmosphere of the Lake District all have a direct response on my paintings. Using mainly Pastels has helped to create vivid yet muted beautiful colours of Lakeland fells in my new work. I find working with Pastels is a direct and tactile approach and gives me confidence and also pure joy in painting dramatic valleys, high mountain tops and capturing the light playing with the Lakeland fells.

Into Langdale 

Pastel

Ullswater 

Pastel

Blencathra

Pastel

Along the Ridge

Pastel

Bluebells

Oil

The view from Latrigg

You don't need to walk many miles or feet to get a stunning view in the Lake District. I walked up Spooney Lane, along the delightful path, through the Woods passing sweet smelling bright Yellow Gorse. The path then opens up onto the fell and circles it's way to the top, you will see the bench sitting proudly on top waiting for passers by to admire the view. 

The bench was free when we walked up, but boy was it a strong wild wind. 

But sitting hunched against the cold, watching the clouds lift and raise over the Catbells range.

Is a wonderful uplifting experience. 

Walking back down the track, a shaft of light  broke through, catching the fields and ridges of the pretty Newlands valley.

With all this in mind. I quickly washed some watercolours over Pastelmat paper, applied pastels.

But something wasn't happening. A brave move was needed. Make or break!

A wash of water over the pastels, gave some interesting marks and more of a feeling to the painting.

A few more thought provoking bright pastel marks were added over the next couple of days.

I'm much happier with the outcome, it reflects more of what I felt when walking down the track from Latrigg.

Newlands from Latrigg painted in Pastels

Will be on show at my Spotlight Exhibition at the Viridian Gallery in Keswick 

from 22nd April to 7th June 2016