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.

Ashbourne Workshop in the Rain.

A couple of weeks ago I ran my workshop at St John Street Gallery in Ashbourne, in my head I had the idea that March would be the perfect time to get outside and do a bit of sketching!
Well as you all know its been brutal weather in Derbyshire and standing outside in pouring rain was not ideal.
Although actually looking back you get some interesting results and memories.
I managed to find us shelter in a doorway and we actually got some decent sketches and funny looks as we tried to capture the scene in front of us.
 Today I revisited the painting I started and totally destoryed it and brought it back again I think this captures how blumin cold and wet and freezing we were!

A Late Winter in Ashbourne by Ruth Gray.

The next date for a street scene workshop is June 12th details here hopefully not pouring down but glorious sunshine.

Id love you to book on so we can have a great creative day together.  Any abilities are welcome.

While you are here I have a brand new mailing list be great if you could sign up no more than six a year! Subscribe Here

St John Street Exhibition Opening

I would like to thank everyone who attended last nights opening of my exhibition at St John Street Gallery  it was great to see so many people come especially lovely surprise was my Mum who travelled nearly two hours through accidents and rain and just made it at the end. Even in my mid forties I want parental approval!
Also lovely to see was Get Outside Champion Nigel John Vardy who picked up his painting of Shining Cliff Woods he said

'Over the years, I've camped, walked and skied though the woods, and now a beautiful image showing its full splendour will adorn my walls...'

The show is on for two weeks so please go along and take a look its a great gallery and they serve wonderful food and coffee in the cafe upstairs.

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.

View From Peak cavern Castleton

View From Peak Cavern 40 x 40 cm acrylic on box canvas.

One of the most magical places in Derbyshire for me is Castleton a beautiful village that lights up with Christmas trees each year and has a ruined castle, high high hillsides,  streams, caves , gorges, blue john gem stones I mean really can one place have more amazing stuff! If you get a chance go next Christmas see Santa, sit by a roaring fireside in an olde worlde pub by some gems its lovely.
http://ruthgrayimages.net

New Painting

Matlock Bath Illuminations 

This new work depicts the wonderful Matlock Bath Illuminations folk queuing up for hot dogs and the like. I just love this time of year but then I love all times of year for all different reasons but Autumn has a great quality of light and brings together everybody around bonfires, fireworks and hearths its cosy.

Lots to look forward too and lots of memories of summer. This work is off to my framers Hall of Frames in Belper ready to be shown at Cromford Studio and Gallery in December.

My work is now stocked in the following locations.

St John Street Gallery, Ashbourne, Derbyshire.

Hall Of Frames, Belper.

Two Birds Gallery, Castle Donington,

Suki Gallery, Tutbury, Staffordshire

Studio 61 Gallery, Matlock, Derbyshire.

Cromford Studio and Gallery, Derbyshire.

West Studios, Chesterfield.

The Gallery Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire

Please look at my website for latest events http://ruthgrayimages.net/section674657.html