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!

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 

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

Ten Small Paintings for January

Below is the results of my labours for January ten small paintings of various street scenes around Derbyshire and the UK. I've been struggling to find a consistent plan of action for a few months what with Christmas shows, birthdays, anniversaries etc.... so I've needed to find something that I can fit in around all the goings on and weekends away and visitors, kids you know life. I'm also struggling with my physical health so short bursts of work has been the plan of action.

These little paintings I am quite proud of  all together as a group I'm happy with them, some I'm not so thrilled with but that's inevitable and is at the discretion of the artist to know which they are.

I've decided for now to keep them unframed and for sale on my website at a cost of £150 each I haven't had a online show of works for sale before so its all new to me, but I figured out how to connect everything to paypal and we shall see. Prints are always available of any of my paintings too. If you are interested follow the link here

Its been nice to revisit some of the places I love and to spend a gloomy January imagining I am there. I've just come back from a weekend in Sheffield my husband is amused at how excited I am for a bit of dereliction and general urban decay!  It was our wedding anniversary treat and I spent it marveling at demolishion sites! I've booked a few days in Cleethorpes soon and I am more excited in a day trip to Grimsby Docks than anything else so I see my year kind of panning out in that sort of direction less pretty landscapes and more grime. Possibly not very commercial but sometimes you have to follow your heart.

Anyway leave me a comment below and let me know what you think of my months work.

George Street Hastings 18 x 24 cm on linen

Henrietta Street Whitby 18 x 24 cm on linen

High Street Rye 18 x 24 cm on linen

Market Place Chesterfield 18 x 24 cm on linen

Millennium Bridge Towards St Pauls 18 x 24 cm on linen

Niddry Street Edinburgh 18 x 24 cm on linen

Pelham Street Nottingham 18 x 24 cm on linen

Victoria Square Ashbourne 18 x 24 cm on linen

Water Street Bakewell 18 x 24 cm on linen

Wood Street Manchester 18 x 24 cm on linen.