Original fine art exploring nature in textured acrylics
Artatthehouse is in full swing! I shared a first look at the early stages of this painting a couple of weeks ago and here's how it looks now - fresh off the easel and on my display!
We're into our last few hours here at the event today, the sun is shining and there's lots going on. We'll also be back tomorrow, 10 am - 4 pm - come have a look if you're in the area!
What a perfect day to dry and varnish paintings in the sunhine— and so unexpected, especially this late in the year! A few extra touches, and these two little canvases will be joining me this weekend at my stall at Artatthehouse. Fingers crossed the sunshine sticks around for us! Have you been enjoying today's lovely weather?
✨ **Just 7 Days to Go!**✨
The countdown is on for a fabulous, creative event in Huddersfield!
Next weekend, Artatthehouse is bringing together local artists and makers for an unforgettable weekend of art, creativity, and inspiration - at the amazing Cliffe House in Shepley.
Come visit me among wonderful stalls in the coach house - I'll be showing unique, nature-inspired artwork—including this locally-inspired canvas, featuring beloved local landmark, Emley Moor Mast. Whether you're hunting for unique gifts or just looking to immerse yourself in the arts, this event is for you!
**What to Expect:**
- Meet local creators
- Explore a variety of unique stalls
- Join in with hands-on creative workshops
- Wander through the beautiful Cliffe House grounds, with various stalls around the woodland
- Enjoy tasty food and drinks
Keep an eye out on here for sneak peeks as everything comes together! 🖼️
Have a great weekend and hopefully see you there! 👋
I recently shared this painting together with a Shakespeare quote about nature which inspires me, but I noticed the image came out rather blurry. So I'm trying again with the image alone, hoping for full clarity today! You can also catch it in person at Bankfield Museum! 🖼
This canvas was inspired by the transformative power of simple flowers, flourishing en mass amongst the grass, sheltered by the canopies of trees. I was struck by the vibrancy, colour and interconnection of the various elements in the scene, which led me to reflect on the coexistence of the enduring and the fleeting, the imposing and the unassuming. It seemed to echo the beauty of life and growth.
I discovered this view on the approach to a beautiful, historic house. Can you guess which one, or perhaps share a similar place which has inspired you?
I'm really looking forward to starting work on The Growth Project with Inna Nature in a couple of weeks! It's all about creativity, wellbeing and nature connection with a lovely, supportive group. If you'd like to get involved on Thursdays - or have friends in the North Halifax area who would enjoy this opportunity, see below for how you can get involved!
Exhibition update!!
I'm thrilled that this painting which I love, inspired by the hydrangea-lined pathway to , was recently purchased by a museum visitor who loved it too! Thank you so much to the new owner of 'Summer's Gateway, Shibden Hall' and to Lynn and the fabulous, Bankfield team.
Everything in my exhibition, 'Leaf And Bloom: Our Living Landscapes', is available for purchase, which means things may change before the display finishes in December. So if you have your eye on a particular piece, head to to make sure you don't miss it - whether you're thinking of making a purchase or just want to experience the artwork up-close.
Gifts, cards, prints and small, cabinet-stored paintings can all be taken away on the day of your visit, whilst larger, wall-based canvasses can be reserved with a deposit - they will be marked with a red dot and we'll create a schedule together for removing pieces from the wall so you can take them on to their new homes. We'll also then hang new pieces, so look out for changes!
Thank you so much to everyone who has visited recently. I've been in the museum a couple of days this past week and it was such a pleasure to meet some of you, chat and sign your prints and cards!
I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and hope to see you soon.
What a great day it was yesterday at Oakwell Hall Country Park! Thank you so much to everyone who popped by my stall in The Yorkshire Market to chat and shop. It was such a pleasure to see & meet you all and I hope you all enjoyed the day as much as I did. Big thanks to everyone involved in organising, supporting and running the event and to all my wonderful stall-holder buddies!
I'll be busy over the coming weeks preparing for a fabulous art event next month, so stay tuned for details! In the meantime, my work is currently on display in my own exhibition at Bankfield Museum, Halifax. Have you had a chance to visit yet? I'd love to hear what you think!
4 days to go!
Join us at Oakwell Hall Country Park on Sunday August 4th for a fantastic, family- friendly celebration of all things Yorkshire! I'll be in the Yorkshire Market at the Yorkshire Day event from 11am until 4pm with my art and artist's gifts. Here's a locally-inspired piece I'll be bringing along on the day. If you're coming for a day out, be sure to pop and say hi.
Creative Kirklees
Kirklees
"They look different wherever you stand!" One of my recent customers said this about the textured effects in my original paintings.
Textures are often the first thing people notice when they see my originals up-close. People find the textures bring an unique dimension, inviting viewers into the piece and changing how it interacts with light throughout the day. Here are a few close-ups of textured details from my works currently displayed at Bankfield Museum.
Why do I create texture in my paintings? I believe textures make a painting come alive, adding depth and movement. They also reflect the diverse textures in nature, which are a constant source of my inspiration.
Texture isn't new in paintings; many artists, like Auerbach, Kossoff, even Van Gogh, have used it in different, powerful ways. In fact I remember being mesmerized by Van Gogh's visibly deep strokes during a visit to Amsterdam from University when I was about 20. Experiences like this have influenced my work.
I have tried a variety of methods and materials to create texture previously, including gessos, mediums and pastes, but my favorite technique now is simply working thickly and layering heavy body acrylic paints with both brushes and palette knives.
What about you? Are you a fan of the tactile quality of textured paintings, or do you prefer a smooth finish?
🌿✨ **Reopening tomorrow!** ✨🌿
Join us for free at Bankfield Museum from Tuesday to Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM, until December to see my exhibition 'Leaf And Bloom: Our Living Landscapes' and explore my textured, acrylic paintings, inspired by nature. 🍃 You'll find locally-inspired scenes, like these three from around Halifax, alongside places further afield.
Discover how the changing seasons transform our landscapes and the emotions they evoke, through an artistic lens with rich colours and painterly marks, capturing unique impressions. Each piece tells a story of connection with nature, recalling the beauty and significance of our environment. 🌸
Stay tuned for insights into the inspiration and process behind the paintings on display over the next few days. Let me know if you have any questions I can answer!
📍 Bankfield Museum, Halifax
So many great shows are happening over the next few months & I'm already looking forward to this one in September! It's always a wonderful weekend & lovely to get to the fabulous Cliffe House. Pop the date in your diaries if you're going to be around!
In the meantime, don't forget my exhibition - Leaf And Bloom: Our Living Landscapes - is ongoing at Bankfield Museum in Halifax. I'd love to see you there!
Rachael Gorton Art -'Rachael is fascinated by the dynamic relationship between humankind and the natural world. Her paintings explore this intricate connection, examining how nature mirrors our emotions, experiences and memories whilst also considering its transformative power on our emotions, behaviours and human narratives. Rachael’s landscapes and garden-scapes, captured from various viewpoints, invite the soothing and illuminating presence of nature indoors, offering solace and clarity in today’s often-hectic world.'
It's the last few days to catch creative art and unique finds at Holmfirth Artweek! There's loads to see at the main exhibition at The Civic, Holmfirth - open until 9pm on week days, & finally on Saturday 13th July until 5pm. Here are my paintings on display - I had a super time there the other day!
If you've visited the exhibition, let me know what you thought about it in the comments below.
**Explore More at Bankfield Museum!**
Alongside my exhibition in the cafe, come and discover:
- Kate Lycett's beautiful art 🖼️
- The fabulously creative Textile Art Group 🧵
- Colin Firth's iconic shirt from Pride & Prejudice 👕
- ... And lots more!
🕐 Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10 am - 4 pm, until December 🕝.
A huge thank you to everyone who has visited so far! 🙏
Don't forget to **like, share, and follow**, as I'll be answering questions and sharing updates, virtual tours, behind-the-scenes peeks and more! 💌
Really looking forward to seeing this exhibition. I love the spirit of bringing together so many different makers with their own styles and media for a big community event! And I have two paintings on display in The Civic, Holmfirth... Come have a look if you're in the area!
We're open!
Come down to The Civic, Holmfirth to see 3 floors of art from over 400 artists. We're open until 5pm this evening and then 10am - 9pm Monday to Friday, and 10am - 5pm on Saturday.
Tickets cost £2.50 each (free for under 16s) and get allow you repeat visits throughout the week.
We've got artists demonstrating their skills on the first floor stage, a market of smaller artwork, cards and prints which can be bought and taken away immediately on the second floor stage, a room full of our features artists David Mayne Sculpture and Drawing-Naturally by Pippa Ashworth on the top floor and a cafe for when you need a break.
Everything at Artweek is for sale, and a minimum 20% of all sales goes to our charities - The Kirkwood and Macmillan Cancer Support.
🌟 July is here! So is my exhibition at Bankfield Museum in Halifax! 🌟
📅 Open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10 AM - 4 PM, until December (with some exciting changes along the way!)
Come visit the café, enjoy a coffee or tea, relax, and browse my latest work on display. ☕🎨
Big thanks to everyone who made this possible and helped behind-the-scenes. 💛
Hello! How has your weekend been?? Its been the end of a busy week in art here - I delivered 17 paintings to Bankfield Museum on Monday, a completed banner for a lovely group on Saturday and 2 brand new garden paintings - including this one - for Holmfirth Artweek today! I hope you can come and see some art over the next few weeks - there's lots going on!
I’m thrilled to announce that my latest paintings were hung on the walls at Bankfield Museum earlier this week! Even more exciting, they are displayed alongside two stunning oil paintings from Calderdale's collections, by amazing modern master, John Piper!
Come along and see this unique pairing from next week when it's all finalised! Have you seen John Piper's Halifax paintings before? How moody is this one - Halifax No 1 (1965)?! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below! ⬇️
Hello everyone! How have you all been? I've been deep in various projects lately, but I'm thrilled to finally see the sun shining as I wrap up preparations for my exhibition at Bankfield Museum. It's going to be open from July - hopefully the sun will still be with us too! - and I'd love for you to come have a look if you're around.
Here's a sneak peek at one of the pieces I created specially for the event, inspired by our local celebration, ! Do you recognise the lively, floral wall that inspired this painting? Let me know in the comments!
Have a great Sunday, everyone. What a gorgeous day for painting en plein air! Looking forward to a special day with Broadway Arts Festival x
Happy Bank Holiday everyone! I've been quiet recently, but it's been all-go behind the scenes. I'm thrilled to announce that an exhibition of my work will be opening in the next few weeks in the cafe at the fabulous Bankfield Museum in Halifax. Stay tuned for more details!
In other news, I recently finished and delivered this painting to a lovely client. It's always such a rewarding experience to see art bring joy to others, sparking conversation and memories.
What do you enjoy most when visiting artists' exhibitions? Let me know in the comments!
So grateful to have my painting voted as the People's Choice at the recent Spring Time exhibition at Open Gallery. Many thanks for the votes and to all involved in this lovely exhibition. Let me know your favourite thing about spring time in the comments below!
It's the last few days to catch this lovely exhibition celebrating Spring Time. If you're around Halifax before Friday, pop to the Open Gallery and give it a look!
Hope you're having a great weekend. I've recently been busy on new work for exciting shows coming up in the summer. Stay tuned for details, but here's one of the recently finished pieces. Can you guess what inspired this one?!
Who else is excited to find signs of spring popping up all around us?! Whilst embracing the blossoms and new beginnings, I'm also delighted that one of my spring paintings is featured in the Spring Time exhibition at Open Gallery, Halifax. The gallery has fantastic displays, showcasing great artists from all over the UK & I'm honoured to be included. Call in for a look if you're in the area, Tuesdays - Saturdays until May 2nd!
Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the Makers' Market at Bankfield Museum on Friday & Saturday and to all involved in making the event fabulous. I loved chatting to you all and very much appreciate your generous support. Having a great view of this amazing ceiling was a huge bonus and I am looking forward to sharing news about working with this wonderful museum again soon!
Huddersfield
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Wow, can you believe it's only 2 weeks until Art At The House?! It's my next event and I'm busy working on a series of canvases to display there, alongside some existing pieces. Each new canvas is currently at a different stage of completion. Here's a behind-the-scenes glimpse at one in its earlier stages. Do you think it will be finished in time?! I’d love for you to come see the finished pieces in person at Art At The House! It’s going to be a fantastic event full of creativity, and I can’t wait to share my work with you all. Hope to see you there - 21 - 22 September at Cliffe House, near Huddersfield! #artlovers #artevents #natureinspiredart #huddersfieldevents #inspiredbynature #yorkshireartist
Join me in 3 weeks! I'm going to be at Art At The House, a wonderful art market at Cliffe House, Huddersfield. I can't wait to share my work and connect with some wonderful people there! Details & image curation: @artatthehouse #huddersfieldevents #madeinyorkshire #inspiredbynature #wallartdecor
I hope you have all had a lovely Bank Holiday! I'm grateful to have been fortunate enough to see a wonderful production of Pericles by the Royal Shakespeare Company over the long weekend. It got me thinking about the timeless wisdom in Shakespeare and where it resonates with my art work. I love this quote which beautifully captures the connection we all share through the natural world. Here it is alongside my painting 'Beneath The Canopy', currently on display at Bankfield Museum. What has been the highlight of the Bank Holiday weekend for you? #NatureInspiredArt #naturelovers #bankholidayvibes #artfornaturelovers
I'm excited to share that my next event is in 4 weeks! I've been busy with preparations and can't wait to share my latest creations with you - here's some of the colours still fresh on my brushes! I hope to see at the beautiful Cliffe House in Shepley, Huddersfield on September 21 & 22. #artevent #huddersfield #artforyourwalls #artlovers
Join us this weekend to celebrate Yorkshire Day at Oakwell Hall! Enjoy entertainment, delicious food, and unique stalls set against the beautiful Oakwell Hall Country Park. ✨ Here's an in-progress shot of a small painting I created for the event, inspired by our local landscape. Come visit my stall in the Yorkshire Market to see the finished artwork and chat about the creative process! Fingers crossed for sunny weather and a fantastic turnout! Can't wait to see you there! #yorksdayatoakwell #artevents #kirklees #natureinspiredart @creative_kirklees Creative Kirklees Kirklees @kirklees.council
I'm excited to be part of the Yorkshire Day celebration at Oakwell Hall Country Park on Sunday August 4th! There's lots going on for all the family including music, performances, food, a bake off competition & I'll be in the Yorkshire Market with art and artist's gifts featuring glorious gardens and local scenes. Looking forward to seeing you there! ncil #creativekirklees #artevent #kirkleescouncil #YorksDayatOakwell
Tomorrow, Sat 13 July is the last chance to see @holmfirthartweek! I love seeing my paintings among the work of so many fabulous creators and the opportunity to make purchases which support local artists and great causes. Here's a little taster of what's on at @the_civic_holmfirth. Big thanks to all involved and for your support and purchases. #holmfirth #holmfirthartweek #artexhibition
Warmest Christmas wishes to everyone and many thanks for all your support this year x
Behind the scenes! Here is how one of my recent, winter paintings took shape to reveal an impression of Shibden Hall in the snow. Not too far from Shibden, I'm going to be at Bankfield Museum, #halifax on Saturday 9th December for their Christmas Craft Fair, my final event of the year - with my paintings and art gifts. Pop by and enjoy some Christmas cheer with independent makers there! 🎄🎅
Today I've been thinking about texture in paintings. The textured surfaces of my paintings evoke the vast array of textures found in the natural world. People often tell me they'd love to touch my paintings! Surface textures also enliven paintings within their display spaces, as they dynamically play with light, shade and surrounding colours and form visual displays which change along with the passing moments. 'Midsummer Melody' (60 x 50 cm, acrylic on canvas) has been my artwork of the week! I've been doing some reflecting and planning future projects, through analysing this piece. Please DM me with any enquiries. Thanks.
Behind the scenes! Here is a look at a few stages in the creation journey behind one of my recent, colourful meadow paintings. These wildflower canvasses are inspired not only by the joy, beauty and wellbeing benefits that meadows offer, but also their place in our cultural history, their significance as a natural habitat and their role in supporting essential pollinators. Through this creation process I recalled the interconnections of all life via the vitality and harmony and of the meadow. What associations do you have with meadows?
Sending Christmas wishes to everyone x
