As we relax into the long, languid days of summer, we take a closer look at some of the art brightening our days.
1. ‘Shoreline Cottage’ by Jay Nottingham. Oil on panel. 12” x 12”. £660
Chosen by: Philip Short, Director
“Jay has a remarkable ability to create refreshingly uplifting, pared-back scenes that brim with visual interest. Stripping the complexities of the world down to its most basic forms gives new life and appreciation for its beauty, while his choice of high-contrast, contemporary colours gives a contagious sense of vitality. I particularly love the layered landscape in this scene; it masterfully simplifies a sense of depth and perspective.”
2. ‘Red Admiral’ by Stuart Herod. Oil on panel. 9” x 6”. £485
Chosen by: Alan Short, Director
“I am quite taken with Stuart’s latest butterfly paintings. They are painfully precise with a nearly scientific level of observation. Particularly when grouped together, they could rival an entomology display at the Natural History Museum.”
3. ‘Reaching Higher’ by Clare Haley. Oil on panel. 12” x 39”. £1,200
Chosen by: Deanna Dawkins, Gallery Manager
“This was a totally new size for Clare, and I can say, without a doubt, that it absolutely works. She has carefully considered the composition to work with the shape, gently drawing the eye up the meandering path before pulling it back down again in a tumbling, dazzling array of light burst and cloud. There has yet to be a painting of Clare’s I haven’t loved and this one is no exception.”
4. ‘Shire Horses’ by Jacqueline Stanhope. Oil on canvas. 20” x 19”. £4,950
Chosen by: Kirsty Maclennan, Gallery Assistant.
“This is such a powerful painting. With a dark mist rolling in, engulfing a distant farmhouse and spreading over the newly ploughed fields, two magnificent Shire horses stand guard, bastions of an idealised rural past - emblems of Britain’s rich farming heritage. There is so much to celebrate in this painting. It is a scene that has drawn me back time and time again.”
5. ‘Little Bay Near La Ciotat’ by Terence Clarke. Oil on canvas. 20” x 16”. £1,700
Chosen by: Sarah Pearson Short, Gallery Assistant.
“The colours of this are just divine. The immediate sense of warmth and release gives a palpable lift like no other. It’s a little bit smaller than some of Terence’s landscapes—which makes it even easier to find a place for—yet it retains every ounce of impact and presence collectors have come to expect of his work.”
To find out more of our favourites, visit the gallery, drop us an email or strike up a conversation with a member of our friendly team on our live chat.