New work for 2022

 

Sunrise on the school run 40 x 40 cm acrylic on canvas.

How are you all doing? It seems the news gets crazier by the day to the point now where I'm listening to much more music to distract me from the buffoon in charge. Thankfully I'm of an age where I know that things come to pass and we come out the other side eventually it just seems to have been a bloody long decade!

We are lucky though if only we open our eyes and see the beauty that is all around every day, last week or maybe it was the week before who knows but each morning I was blinded on the way home from the school run by magnificent sunrises which alongside massive traffic jams meant I had plenty of time to absorb all the colours. This inspired me to get the paints out and put them all down at once onto the canvas with one of them being the above piece called Sunrise on the school run showing the view on the way to Kilburn.

My new job has sent me up some hills in Matlock Bath, and the surrounding area, here's one that I've just finished too.

Matlock Bath from the Jubilee Bridge.35 x 25 cm.

Along with the representational stuff I've just wanted to get the colour down so here's a few abstract studies, I love doing these very therapeutic.

30 x 24 cm

 10 x 8"

6 x 8"

30 x 24 cm

The colours all look better in real life so I hope you can come along and see me this year at the various events I will be doing around the area. See my website www.ruthgrayimages.com for details.

It was nice to see my painting in the background of this video the other day :) 

https://youtu.be/ZdEaLKpwzZ8 

New Work, Sheffield Dusk and Sheffield Sunset.

It is the moments in between that count I'm sure there's an advert this Christmas about that, (speaking of which, what has happened to Christmas ads they are so samey!) Anyway I digress.

Moments in between are the times in the car or as I was yesterday on a bus traveling back from a fab day in Leeds with nothing to do except stare out of the window. It is so rare I get these moments as I'm usually driving frantically to or from somewhere and you see nothing but a blur.

But yesterday I enjoyed an hour of watching the sunset over our wonderful country. I saw the scars of industry past and future. Cranes building and wind turbines creating clean power, hills of grass that cover the slag heaps of yesteryear. It made me want to paint as the colours were so beautiful deep reds and golds with dark rain-filled grey all amazing and for that moment I could forget all the crap going on in everyday life.
Anyway, this morning before dawn, I was up and at 'em' canvas on the easel and off I went.
And here they are 30 x 30 cm, I will bring them to the Christmas farmers market so you can see them if you are around. 9-1pm Number 28, Market Place Belper.

Sheffield at Dusk

Sheffield at Sunset

Best Chip Shop in the World.

Chip shops who knew they could be so interesting, I've just painted number 8 and it was one my husband took me to see in Chesterfield, it looks just like a house no signage or any hint its a chip shop but who needs signage when you are 'Margaret's Chippy best chip shop in the world' according to facebook reviews, I found the website and Margaret ran it for 52 years and is now enjoying just greeting old customers while its run by a new couple. Regulars return and are prepared to queue for as long as it takes.
An interesting thought if your product is good enough and you are consistent no need to shout and cover yourself in neon lights! 

Margaret's Chippy, Duke Street Chesterfield 20 x 20 cm acrylic on canvas

If you have any chip shops you love let me know!

See all my other chip shop paintings on my website: http://ruthgrayimages.com 

Mapping it Out, New Work for St John Street Gallery

I sourced an old ordnance survey map of Derbyshire on line, to use as part of a new series of work for St John Street Gallery my intention was to literally tear it up into sections and stick it down and then see what happened next.

By chance I was left with a small corner of the map of the Staffordshire Moorlands and after layering ink and mediums on to the initial layer of maps I again tore up the corner and placed that on to the canvas and from that I looked at the names on those pieces and found some wonderful locations which I have painted below.
The surfaces are full of texture and character of the maps it was certainly an interesting way to create new work.

Near Calton Green

Detail of Near Calton Green

Devils Staircase

Detail For Devils Staircase

Ipstones Edge

Detail of Ipstones Edge

Near Kingsley Holt

Detail of Near Kingsley Holt

Weaver Hills

Detail of Weaver Hills

You can view the new pieces at St John Street Gallery Ashbourne from August 1st. They are all 30 x 30 cm on box canvas £300 each contact the gallery to make a purchase.

My last show before summer is a charity event at The Belper Games where I will be selling a range of greeting cards and my #100dayproject cards.

Guest Blog by David Walker of Yoxall Art Group.

The Art of Stylisation by David Walker, Yoxall Art Group.

Fresh from the detailed article on her painting “Christmas Eve at Castleton” in the journal “Paint” (The Magazine of the Society for All Artists) Ruth Gray entertained the members and guests of the Yoxall Art group on 8th November with an excellent demonstration of her stylish, abstracted painting techniques.

Demo at Yoxall Art Group picture by David Walker

The audience was immediately involved in the chosen image of the day, a view of George Street in Hastings, East Sussex.  Ruth had pre-prepared the canvass by sketching the outline in watercolour  marker pen.  That immediately drew gasps of disbelief from the audience, but Ruth did assure them that the water based marker would be washed away as she continued the work.  The original sketch was certainly robust, but as soon as the work began you could see how the method worked to achieve the expected result.  A key advantage of using the watercolour pen was, unlike charcoal or pencil, there was no shiny residue to contend with.

Ruth then discussed her choice of acrylic paints and her colour palette.  Having lived in Australia for a time she much preferred the Atelier brand which was developed, and is manufactured in that country. Atelier is much more forgiving in the drying problem which can make using acrylic paint difficult.  This development was probably because of higher temperatures in Australia meaning an even bigger problem of paint drying on the palette, especially when working “en plein air”.  In the more moderate UK the paint, when protected by a plastic bag, was still usable the next day.

Picture by David Walker 

She then started in earnest on the work, starting by brushing in the sky and foreground, with large, bold strokes.  This initial work was revisited later to add some of detail.  Then the emphasis immediately changed to the dark tones and immediately you could see the wisdom of her choice of the watercolour pen.  The outline of the people was also undertaken in the dark tones.

She then progressed through the mid tone colours and eventually on to the general highlight colours.  The spot and highlight colours were then added as part of the finishing process adding details to people, buildings, signs and flags to arrive at the final painting.

Within a couple of hours Ruth had produced a wonderful representation of George Street, that would not be out of place in any living room!  Of course, there was some finishing of detail still required, this would be added later after a period of drying.

Work in Progress. Picture by David Walker

All told an exciting and instructive demonstration by a very competent and respected artist.  Everyone took in new ideas and thoroughly enjoyed the day.  Ruth’s website http://ruthgrayimages.net  is well worth a visit!

Mixed Media Longshaw Minitures

I've really enjoyed creating these small works this week in between getting my solo exhibition ready there is something very calming about making tiny pieces of work. There is probally as many hours in each of these as one four times the size as they are layer upon layer of paint and mediums along with coloured pencils and ink.

I love the way they shimmer in the light thats the bronze powder mixed in I notice many visitors to my shows love holding my work up to the light to see the different effects and have been told by buyers that they move my paintings around the house to catch different effects.

These are at the framers now all roughly 10 x 10 cm

Quick note my solo exhibition at St John Street Gallery starts tonight at 5 pm and finishes April 1st.

Winter Creswell Crags

Winter Creswell Crags 70 x 70 cm acrylic on box canvas.

Last week as part of my work with Purple and Grey myself and Karina had a guided walk around the wonderful historic gorge that is Creswell Crags its a place where Britain's first cave art can be seen and it feels although time has stood still. I just had to paint it!

'Creswell Crags is a limestone gorge honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. Stone tools and remains of animals found in the caves by archaeologists provide evidence for a fascinating story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago.'

Happy at Haddon

Happy at Haddon 30 x 30 cm acrylic on box canvas.

Sometime ago I observed two mothers playing with their children at Haddon Hall, A brief moment away from it all at Haddon Hall.
http://ruthgrayimages.net 

Dancing in Rolleston Woods

Dancing in Rolleston Woods

http://ruthgrayimages.net 

Buxton Blossom

Buxton Blossom 40 x 40 cm acrylic on canvas.

http://ruthgrayimages.net

News for Autumn

Hello I have just got back from my holidays taking much needed time off. I have been spending the time travelling and photographing some of the UK’s most wonderful cities including York, Oxford and London. Whether any of these make it to canvas only time will tell! Take a look at my Instagram to see some of the shots https://www.instagram.com/ruthgrayimages

Autumn sees me dive back into things with two demos for regional art groups an ink workshop and preparations for October exhibitions more on those below.

Festival Time

September is art festival season and I am pleased to say that I will be participating in two the first is New Mills Festival where I am part of the towns arts trail along with 66 other selected artists my work will be on display in the window of Gioia Mia Café. The big weekend is 23^rd ,24^th and 25^th but the window displays are there all September. For more information http://www.newmillsfestival.com/ArtTrail/arttrail.htm

The other festival is the inaugural Duffield Arts Festival 17th & 18th September £3 per day or £5 for both, under 16's FREE Celebrating Duffield's creative community with a program of activity and performances at various locations around the village. I am one of 15 established and professional artists who are exhibiting a number of works, with a stall and display at the Ecclesbourne School Hall Check out the website to download a full program and location map. http://www.duffieldartsfestival.com/

Exhibition News

Views from the Derwent Valley Cromford Mill Oct 23 - Nov 3

This is an exhibition I have been working towards for two years I have spent a lot of time researching this wonderful world heritage site from top to bottom and this has resulted in twenty-two large scale paintings that pick out some of the key sites along the route. There is an illustrated talk that has been organized in conjunction with the Mill and a world heritage specialist it would be lovely if you could come along but you will need to book in advance details below:

I have a limited edition desk calendar that accompanies the exhibition featuring 13 images from the show £19 including postage, to order one please pay here https://www.paypal.me/ruthgray/19 and I will contact you for your address details and post straight away.

Also in October I have a small exhibition of my work at Sutton Bonington Gallery showing my works on paper, the gallery is open Thursday to Sunday 11-5pm and is now home to a fabulous café where freshly ground coffee, loose leaf tea, light lunches and locally made cakes are served. http://www.suttonboningtongallery.com/

Thank you for taking time to read my news and for taking an interest in my work.

Ruth.

Derbyshire Open Arts and More

For those that don’t know Derbyshire Open Arts is a county wide arts trail with over 300 artists in venues up and down Derbyshire, it takes place Bank Holiday 28-30^th May 1030 -5pm. It’s in its tenth year this year and this is the fourth time I have taken part.

This year I will have a stall at Florence Nightingale Hall Yew Tree Hill Holloway DE45AR, I have (along with Karina Goodman of Studio 61 Gallery and Martin Sloman of Cromford Studio and Gallery) organised a mini trail within a trail, as we have three locations for you to visit.

The Florence Nightingale location has 14 artists all displaying a variety of styles and media and I am looking forward to spending my weekend with them all.

I will have my card range, giclee prints and originals and look forward to welcoming you to the venue.

Follow the blog here: http://gallery2gallery.blogspot.co.uk/  

Event News

I am preparing for a couple of events after Derbyshire Open Arts I am currently working on my Buxton Spa Prize painting I have been given the Town Hall as my subject this year.

 ‘The Buxton Spa Prize is an open art competition to celebrate the town’s culture, natural beauty and heritage. ​Over 100 artists entered the second year in 2015. The aim of the Buxton Spa Prize is to make the town an internationally recognised centre for visual arts. The winning artist will receive a grand prize of £5000.’

I love going to the opening night and seeing the great paintings definitely not to be missed! Exhibition 1st July - 14th August http://www.buxtonspaprize.co.uk/

I have also taken inspiration from the town and painted Spring Field Gardens Acrylic 40 x 40 cm on canvas board.

Staying in Buxton my next event will be at Great Dome Art Fair, The Royal Devonshire Campus Buxton.

July 15 - 17 Preview evening - 7-9pm, Weekend 10am - 4.30pm

‘Browse and buy from a huge range of outstanding art and design direct from PDA’s members at our award winning annual exhibition. Contact PDA for a ticket for our exclusive private view on Friday 15th July 7-9pm. Meet our newest members and enjoy our popular talks and demonstrations, Charity Silent Auction and unique Artists’ Original Postcard Raffle.’ www.greatdomeartfair.co.uk

Follow the links below to my galleries and associations.

The Two Birds Gallery https://www.facebook.com/thetwobirdsgallery/

Out Framed Ripley Bespoke Picture Framing  http://www.outframed.co.uk/

Cromford Studio and Gallery http://cromfordstudioandgallery.weebly.com/

St John Street Gallery http://stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk/

Studio 61 Gallery http://www.karinagoodman.com/

The Gallery Sutton Bonnington http://suttonboningtongallery.com/

Suki Gallery Tutbury https://www.facebook.com/sukicraftgallery

purple and grey http://purpleandgrey.co.uk

Peak District Artisans http://www.peakdistrictartisans.co.uk/

Banks Mill Studios http://banks-mill.evolvederby.co.uk/

A Painting, Some Drawing Fun

 

Crossing at St Lawrence's Church Heanor above was an experiment of trying to capture a different angle of a road, number 26 of my Ripley Rattler series. Its enjoyable to paint these subjects and I am intrigued as to how the remaining 14 will look!


 Tuesday Oct 15th I am hosting The Big Draw at Studio 61 gallery with the theme Draw The Future, its a fun morning really an excuse to get the pencils out and scribble and socialise come along at 1015 -1130am all abilities welcome!

 

Tomorrow 13th October I am at Broomfield Hall Morley pop down and say hello if you are around be lovely to see you!

http://ruthgrayimages.net/