February to May, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by Eden-based artist, David Boyd will be on display in the Old Courthouse Gallery at Shap until 19 June 2022.
All the work was created en plein air on paper and in sketchbooks in and around Shap and Orton between February and May this year, hence the title of the exhibition.
The Old Courthouse exhibition
David said: “When I was asked to exhibit in The Old Courthouse, it seemed like the ideal opportunity to make en plein air studies around the area and to create pictures that were as up to date as possible in the months leading up to the exhibition. The weather conditions can be harsh and challenging to say the least – often cold, wet and windy – and the landscape is bleak yet beautiful. The altitude is high at 1,397 feet above sea level but, whereas the Lake District fells to the west are very much to the forefront of a landscape, these limestone hills and plateaus of Orton and Shap are more distant, long range and almost flat by comparison.”
Sketch books images from the Eden Valley
The 13 or so works in the February to May exhibition plus several sketch books feature images from around the areas of Shap Fell, Crosby Ravensworth, Reagill, Sleagill, Kelleth, Oddendale, Maulds Meaburn, Bampton, Orton Scar, Knipe Scar and also the Howgill Fells, known locally as the Sleeping Elephants after Alfred Wainwright’s mention of squatting elephants.
“In many of the pictures, I’ve tried to capture the soft winter and spring light in contrast to the sometimes heavy, moody skies,” says David. “I think this area has an infinite beauty and the longer I spend here, the more absorbed I become and the better able I am, I hope, to depict and capture it. I hope that local residents will drop in and enjoy seeing their local landscape on show.”
February to May will then continue until Sunday 19 June with daily opening times available from the website www.theoldcourthouse.org.
Further information about David and his work is online at www.davidboyd-artist.co.uk.
