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 

Why we run away to the seaside and Matlock Bath

Ruth Gray Matlock Bath. 2020.

Let me state here first I have not been running anywhere! I'm a #stayathomecreative! But this last weekend there have been so many images of folks going in their droves to the coast and Matlock Bath among many other places. These are scary times and my recent research into chip shops has revealed that chip shops, childhood, and seaside all mean a lot to us as cherished memories.
The queuing that has been witnessed outside of chippies have been epic but not good for the health of the nation! Maybe it is our need for something familiar, and happy that has seen this flight.

I'm longing for the day I can nip out to the chip shop safe in the knowledge that I'm not going to die in the process but for now, I'm content with collecting more of your chip shop memories via my surveys.

If you have any time on your hands could you fill out this SURVEY for me it is really helpful towards my dissertation!

The painting above is a finished demonstration that I started at my workshop a couple of weeks ago when we were allowed out! I have painted this before a long time ago but I love the image so much I gave it another go!

Views From The Derwent Valley Video

The above is also available as a book see link in the side bar.

Wild Garlic Matlock Bath

Wild Garlic Matlock Bath 80 x 100 cm

Just before the leaves on the trees are fully formed there is a carpet of fragrant wild garlic along the banks of the Derwent in Matlock Bath, to me its a heavenly scent and means that soon we will all be basking in the sun once again.
http://ruthgrayimages.net

Sunday Afternoon Matlock Bath

Sunday Afternoon Matlock Bath by Ruth Gray 

Its a Sunday and the sun is shining, all around is the sound of revving and maneuvering of motorbikes. Bikers stood by their machines with crazed hair and one piece suits. Eyeing up the competition, pushing gloves into helmets stretching tired legs looking for the coffee and the chips.

 Some have traveled from the out lining countys, cities and towns, others have pushed a fair weather machine from inside the garage and had a pleasant 5 mile jaunt. Either way the camaraderie , belonging and nod to fellow travelers is a grand way to spend a Sunday.

There's always the one in his hot rod out to out shine them all driving slowly down the parade begging for a audience.
But each to their own in Matlock Bath a funny old seaside town without the sea!

Sunday Afternoon Matlock Bath is available as prints

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/

Collaborative Events in May

There are open events everywhere in May and Derbyshire is no exception.
 Next weekend its the turn of Belper Festival and the arts trail this year has over 100 artists tucked away in venues all around the town. I think I've hit the jack pot as I am lucky to be showing work alongside Sara Brightly www.sarabrighty.co.uk  and Kate Brooks  www.facebook.com/katebrooks27

Our Venue is:
Belper Arts Trail, Black Swan Lower Ground Bar, Black Swan, 44 Market Place, DE56 1FZ
May 1st, 2nd 10 - 5pm
http://www.belperarts.org/Artist2016/Ruth%20Gray%20Images/

Belper Artists Cafe Reminiscence Vintage at Number 28 Market Place Belper.

 I will have a stall and be demonstrating painting at this lovely event also part of the Belper Arts Festival May 7th.
I will be accompanied by the uber talented Tony Hall and his ipad art see here: http://www.anthonythomashall.co.uk/
 And Claire Simpson who makes fabulous craft pieces and runs amazing projects take a look here: http://storiesunderstones.weebly.com/index.html
 I can highly recommend the cakes as my son says he had the best birthday cake ever made by these lovely ladies!

Then at the end of May its the big one Derbyshire Open Arts I am running an event at Florence Nightingale Hall in Holloway Derbyshire near Matlock I have gathered together with the help of Martin Sloman and Karina Goodman, 14 wonderful artists and makers to spend the weekend with we are part of a mini trail with g2g which connects Cromford Studio and Gallery with Studio 61 Gallery. Florence Nightingale Hall sits in between with lots of parking nearby.

Derbyshire Open Arts, g2g Florence Nightingale Hall Holloway DE45AR
 May 28,29,30th 2016

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

The g2g events also expand into a larger Cromford wide trail so make a day or three of it!

For all my other events see http://ruthgrayimages.net 

A week of Ink Splats!

Finished this week of painting with a blog I have enjoyed using ink and colored pencils this week and have just experimented using reference material from my past four years worth of holidays and travels so I feel like I've been away on a little break! 

All of these will be available for sale at Art in the Village, 24-25th May at Peak Shopping Village Rowsley, 14 x 11" mounted ink and mixed media on paper.

 

Hasting Huts

Hasting Storm

Poppies 1

Poppies 2

Sheep at Warslow

Snow in March Matlock Bath

St Ives