Ever since we were alerted to the work of Otley based artists Christine Relton & Tom Marine we’ve been on a mission to bring their wonderful Yorkshire Dales landscapes to our gallery in Muker.
Langstrothdale, Relton Marine | 76cm x 76 cm | £2,500
Christine & Tom work together to produce each painting, combining their love and knowledge of colour, texture, composition and, not least, the Yorkshire Dales, to represent the wonderful landscapes of the Upper Dales in a style that’s very much their own, and that captures the mood and essence of the place.
The Titania & Bottom Lightbox combines Piers Browne’s love of theatre, poetry, Shakespeare and Wensleydale, into a single etching.
… And when the light dims this backlit etching takes on a new guise.
Etched in 1984 the main unlit edition was of 75, and the boxed (lit) edition was of 10, however only 3-4 copies were printed, and the plates have long since been lost. This is therefore an extremely rare Piers Browne print.
The print is presented as tryptic, representing the wings and main stage of a theatre and the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, is set on one of Wensleydale’s most iconic landmarks, Lady Hill. The players, a group of punks, were recruited when Pier’s met them in Richmond.
Notes from Piers …
The scene is set on Lady Hill’s drumlin mound among the few remaining Scots pines there planted to commemorate Q Victoria’s golden Jubilee I think in 1896.
First performed in 1605, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’s DREAM has never been more than a Shakespeare play favourite. The picture I’ve done is a parallel play within the play to one more real’er life one, and shows the King of the Fairies, OBERON – on far right enjoying his spell’s truly jovial mixing-ups which PUCK his court Jester (on far left prone in the grass) been given full rein to stimulate chaos – is very cross with his very beautiful Fairy queen TITANIA for not letting him have an Indian boy as a knight in his entourage (as she wants him for herself), and had made a magic flower potion (we’d use mushrooms?).
What Shakespeare’s audience’s through 400 years have loved was the genius idea of making a ‘Mechanic’ called BOTTOM (probably a v common builder) being turned into a donkey, and making TITANIA his lovely wife fall in love with this monstrous beast! And that’s where we are in the LIGHTBOX. Hugely funny reversals! And all this parallels what is happening to the (as it were) real-life characters one of whom has by magic been made to love his mate’s (another (Wensleydale) prince of Thebes) ‘s husband. Not quite a husband swop and all v temporarily… so A M S N’s Dream is a play with fairies in it and real hero and heroines (from ancient Greece).
It was complex enough without a Lysander and Hermia, Demetrius and Helena (not sure if right partner’s names!) and the king of Thebes asking for a comic play with Fairies, Mechanics etc in it.
The Old School Muker is pleased to welcome back, after a gap of some years, the prints of local artists Colin & Sheila Smithson to our gallery, with their wonderful, quirky, colourful and stylised views of the Dales.
The Old School Muker presents four and a half minutes of work from our fabulous artists, whose work represents the stunning landscapes that surround our gallery in wonderful Upper Swaledale.
The slideshow represents just a small selection of the work showcased in our gallery. For more information or to see more work by an artist please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk
We have great pleasure welcoming the wonderful watercolours of Yorkshire artist Paul Talbot-Greaves into The Old School Muker gallery. Please watch the slideshow (expand for full screen) and scroll down to see more details of the work.
Paul has painted a series of watercolours inspired by Upper-Swaledale, from East Stonesdale to Thwaite, from Smithy Holme to Muker, the work perfectly captures the mood and feel of the stunning landscape that surrounds our gallery in Muker.
In the Shadow of the Plantation, Swaledale | Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 50x60cm | £340
Down In the Shade, East Stonesdale | Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 50x60cm | SOLD
A View Down the Valley, Swaledale | Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 50x60cm | £340
Rain Coming In Above Keld | Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 80x60cm | £625
Thistles, Gloggerby Rigg| Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 80x60cm | SOLD
Leaving Thwaite | Paul Talbot-Greaves |Framed 80x60cm | £625
Passing at Smithy Holme en route to Ravenseat| Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 80x60cm | £625
Crossing the Fields, Heading for Muker | Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 80x60cm | SOLD
Reflections under Stainforth Bridge | Paul Talbot-Greaves | Framed 80x60cm |£625
These original watercolours are exclusive to The Old School Muker and when it’s safe to re-open our doors you’ll be able to view Paul’s work in our gallery. In the meantime if you’re interested in owning one of Paul’s superb paintings as a memento of our beautiful dale, please contact us on 01748 886155 or email ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk to find out more.
In Pauls words:
“My work reflects the rugged scenery of the landscape, either in the context of wild places or in the nature of the Pennine hills, where I live. I draw my inspiration from historical connections using layers of colour, texture, shapes and patterns applied with energy and feeling. My main inspiration is light and the effects created by the contrasts of shadows.”
Just the ticket if you need a gift for someone who loves art, crafts & Swaledale when you can’t make it up the dale, but still want to support small businesses.
Just call us – 01748 886155 – and we can pop it in the postbox
Our relaxed, self-service café offers delicious cake and coffee, and with its private, walled garden provides a place to unwind and soak up the views of Kisdon, Buttertubs and the surrounding fells, in the company of sculptures by Michael Kusz and Adrian Wood.
… and it’s a place where we might have the odd gathering or two.
The Art Gallery showcases some of the regions best artists and print makers, with a wonderfully diverse mix of styles and mediums, but all somehow reflecting our stunning surroundings in Upper Swaledale.
Artists and print makers currently represented include: Jill Ray, Rebecca Vincent, Jacquie Denby, Morna Rhys, Hester Cox, Glenys Garnett, Janis Goodman, Rachel McNaughton, John Harrison and Peter Brook, not forgetting the photographs of gallery owner Richard Walls.
The gallery also houses wonderful ceramics, sculptures and glassware, from makers such as Thomas Petit, Lisa Katzenstein, Stef Ottevanger, Robin Fox and Alistair Brookes.
In 2020 Richard will be offering 1 to 1 landscape photography workshops, aimed at those who enjoy taking photographs and who would like to improve their photography skills and take control over the creative process.
The Hartlake Gallery is our upstairs exhibition space. Its high ceilings and low windows combine to provide acres of wall space and with it the ability to hang larger pieces of work. Currently on display in The Hartlake we have some stunning original work from: Pier’s Browne, Sheryl Roberts, James Wheeler and Sue Nichol to name just a few …
The Craft Centre at the Old School Muker is a haven for lovers of hand-made, unique, crafts, bringing together the work of over forty of Yorkshire and the UK’s best artisans, whether it’s ceramics, glassware or Jewellery.
At the Old School Muker we have lots of “wow” moments as we open up boxes and unwrap pictures, but when Yorkshire based artist Sarah Du Feu delivered her screen prints it was a double WOW! Stunningly conceived and executed, and set in beautifully made bespoke solid-oak frames, these prints are true centrepieces to any home or office space. I couldn’t resist photographing them before they were hung on the wall!
The Old School Muker is pleased to be showcasing the botanical and floral ceramics of Lisa Katzenstein. Each piece is hand painted in tin-glazed earthenware. Each piece is as unique as the plants they depict.
Every year the Beamish Reliability winds its way through Muker, before the test of Buttertubs, then make a return to the village a few hours later via Oxnop. This year I waited in the drizzle and was rewarded by the sight and sound of some wonderful classic cars and motorcycles, with the dramatic backdrop of Upper Swaledale. As ever I had the camera and so some photos follow. Click through the galleries for bigger pictures.
The Old School Muker welcomes the work of Lisa Katzenstein to the gallery. Lisa’s wonderful, hand-painted vases add a splash of colour, just in time for Spring.
Lisa Katzenstein | The Old School MukerLisa Katzenstein | The Old School Muker
We don’t show all the work we have in the gallery on the website, so why not find an excuse to make a trip to Muker to see it first hand, surrounded by the stunning landscape of Upper Swaledale. If you can’t find an excuse, but would like to find out more about Lisa’s work, please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.
On Saturday 25th May join Judith Gill at The Old School Muker for a fun creative afternoon of Fused Glass. Judith’s workshop will focus on the wildflowers found in the Muker Meadows, you’ll be crafting a floral wall hanging/sun catcher lead by expert tuition.
Event Details
Date: Saturday 25th May
Time: 1-4pm
Location: The Old School Muker
Price: £55
For more information please contact Pauline at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk or on 01748 886155
New for 2019 The Old School Muker is pleased to showcase the work of Rachel McNaughton.
In Rachel’s words … “Painting is a way into an inner world, a secret garden of colour and shape, and what stared as a hobby become an essential part of life. I work from life, or from my own photographs but both are merely a starting point and many paintings are created from a combination of various images. Watercolour presents the artist with many unexpected “ accidents” and often shapes that appear in initial washes become suggested flowers and so a painting often chooses its own path to completion.”
A regular visitor to Upper Swaledale, Rachel’s vibrant watercolours capture the brighter, more colourful side of Dale, when the sun shines and the meadows are in bloom.
To learn more about Rachel’s work please contact The Old School Muker at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.
The Old School Muker is pleased to showcase the work of renowned Grassington artist Jacquie Denby.
Born in the Dales village of Buckden, Jacquie grew up in the Yorkshire Dales, studying at the Harrogate School of Art and at Jacob Kramer College in Leeds. Jacquie now lives and paints in Grassington, capturing the landscapes in which she lives in her unique , semi-abstract style.
Jacquie’s paintings are inspired by the work of the St. Ives artists and the Scottish Colourists. Starting with a a theme or subject in mind they develop as she paints, until, in Jacquie’s words, “The subject matter is very much of secondary importance: The main thing is the work, what it looks like., was it worth doing? Hopefully, yes!”
We have a range of Jacquie’s originals and prints at The Old School Muker. If you’re interested and inspired by Jacquie’s work, please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.
April kicks off our Featured Artist series with the relief wood prints of Shona Branigan.
Shona prints directly from the wood, producing wonderful works of art that reveal the nature, texture and history of the tree from which they are produced.
Shona’s workshop on April 14th is now sold out, but she will be at the Old School on Sunday 21st April to share her love of trees and nature, and to demonstrate relief printing techniques.
Over the course of 2019 The Old School Muker will focus on the rich and fascinating subject of print making, showcasing the work of some of the best print makers from The North of England and the UK.
Work will be on permanent display throughout the year and each month, from April to October, we will feature a specific artist allowing a wider range of work to be exhibited and a deeper appreciation and understanding of the particular techniques they use.
Though styles, subject matter and techniques may differ, all our print makers share one thing in common; a love for the rugged landscape, flora and fauna that’s synonymous with our surroundings, and that makes Muker, and Upper Swaledale, such a magical place. We hope you’ll like their work as much as we do.
Print Makers currently featured at the Old School Muker include: Piers Browne, Hester Cox, Carol Nunan, Rebecca Vincent, Morna Rhys, Janis Goodman, Anne Mason, Denise Burdon, Laura Boswell, Shona Brannigan and Sarah De Feu.
For more information please contact us at ask@theoldschoolmuker.co.uk.
