Derek Eland is Britain’s last official war artist, having been based in Afghanistan in 2011. He has experienced the world, both the light and the dark, and has carried on that experience into his raw paintings of the fells. This exhibition shows hi interrogation of the Lake District landscape, its colours and patterns, its dry stone walls, executed in oils and on paper.

“From a family of Cumbrian farmers, I’ve always been interested in the impact we make on the landscape, good and bad. In the Lake District it’s most obviously seen in the copses, hedgerows and dry stone walls as well as the hamlets, villages and farms. Wordsworth put it well when he wrote, ‘Once again I see these hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms, green to the very door’.” - Derek Eland

Jonathan needs little introduction, with his paintings gracing the nearby inns to be enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. His paintings are ever-inclusive, of us, the viewer, the walker, the climber, the runner, the mountain biker. They’re not divorced from the landscape, instead drawing us into his world, into his paintings, anchoring our view point by way of characters in the land, much as did the likes of Claude Lorrain and Poussin.

"This exhibition seems to be showing the way my painting is evolving, it’s not simply about the landscape, moreover it’s about us, you, me, and how we interact with our landscape. ‘The Wanderer & His Shadow’ is an eight month reappraisal of “what my paintings need to show, how we enjoy the mountains, how important they are to me and so many others.” - Jonathan Trotman

Haydn’s focus in this exhibition is Cumbria and the Scottish Islands, where he expresses the excitement he feels about places he knows well, from sea shore to mountain peak. He is inspired not only by nature, but by man’s involvement with it:

“Some of the exhibition explores the ‘Edge of the Fell’, a rich and varied landscape, where cultivated farmland meets open country. Here are many signs of man’s activities from days when more people worked the land – ancient walls, barns, sheepfolds and trackways. Farming has changed and today the fell edge is gradually being reclaimed by nature.” - Haydn Morris

Trevor has set out to create a set of new paintings to celebrate some of the Lake's classic walks and views. 

“I have visited the lakes my whole life.  So early this year I started to create a set of new paintings to celebrate some of its classic walks and views.  The influence of the weather can not be ignored in high places.  An inescapable feature whose dramatic moods fascinate me and have always been the start point to any painting.  As the works progressed closer observation revealed just how ancient this rugged beautiful landscape really is.  Many famous walks we trek for pleasure today were first created out of necessity for teams of pack horses to move goods across the landscape.” - Trevor Craggs

For the first time, the Blencathra gallery will be exhibiting two artists in the same space.

Nicholas Shaw:

... is strongly drawn to the effects of light on the Cumbrian fells where he both lives and works. 

Nicholas' work is published in various formats from cards, posters,book  illustrations & is held in many private collections.

"For me it is about an expression, connection. Each painting evolves from observation, sketches, standing, walking .... First comes the witnessing of the moment then the absorption of its detail - moving detail. From then on, it goes beyond a record of a place or time and takes up its’ own life.

“Through studies of great masters, old and of present day, I am using varied techniques and approaches in attempts to convey something of the wonder of nature and our small place within it. I am aware that my studies hold clear hints about those I connect with most -  my influences. J.M.W. Turner, Joan Eardley, Barbara Rae, Peter Wileman, Andrew Tischler and Christian Hook are driving forces." - Maria Burton

Keswick’s newest art gallery, The Blencathra Gallery, situated on the third floor of the Northern Lights Gallery, 22 St Johns Street, will host a new showing of Godfrey Tonks’ oil paintings from 10:00hrs this Saturday, 01 December until the end of 2018. 

"Godfrey’s vibrant oil paintings perfectly suit this new exhibition space”, said Tim Fisher the gallery owner. Each month one represented artist will have the opportunity to have a solo show of new paintings / artwork hanging within this newly commissioned exhibition space; we are now taking bookings beyond Easter 2020 so popular has this venture been”.