Swaledale

Muker Show 2018

Published on September 6, 2018September 6, 2018 by RichardLeave a comment

Yesterday was the 113th Grand Annual Show, held on the most perfect September day. The show retains its roots and traditions, and the competitions, whether baking the tastiest chocolate cake or scone, drawing or painting the perfect landscape, herding truculent sheep, or attempting to run the fell race, are all of a high standard and accompanied by good humour. Perhaps best of all, the show is a place where old friends meet and catch up, whether at the show or after in the Farmers Arms.

The show is yet another great reason to visit our village. More information on the show can be found here (https://www.mukershow.co.uk) but for now a few snaps to remind us of the day.

Last Minute Prepartions, Muker Show 2018

Clive & Amanda Owen et al, Muker Show 2018

Discussing the finer points, Muker Show 2018

All set within glorious Upper-Swaledale, Muker Show 2018

Community Singing outside The Farmers, Muker Show 2018

James Wheeler –

Published on July 9, 2018 by RichardLeave a comment

James Wheeler’s paintings have been part of the Old School since the days before we took over the gallery back in April 2017 and we’re pleased that the association continues and grows stronger over the months and years.

Moor Entrance, James Wheeler | The Old School Muker

Of all our artists it is Jame’s work that I’m reminded as I make my way off Shunner Fell at dusk or walk along Occupation Lane on one of those atmospheric days Upper-Swaledale throws at you from time to time; the patterns and textures of the landscape, the lonely field barns and farm houses, all lying under a brooding, heavy sky.

Moor Textures, James Wheeler | The Old School Muker

Using oil on cork, James perfectly captures the drama and atmosphere of our surroundings and next year we hope to be able to showcase Jame’s original work in the Hartlake gallery. Watch this space!

Barn With Tin Roof on the Move

Published on April 29, 2018 by RichardLeave a comment

Barn With Tin Roof, by local artist Sue Dewhurst, brightened up our dark winter days. Now, just has Spring has sprung in Muker, the painting has moved on to provide warmth and colour in its new owners cottage. We’ll miss it!

Just Visiting Just Left, Sandra Parker

Published on April 7, 2018 by RichardLeave a comment

Sandra Parker’s wonderful Just Visiting (above) just left the Old School.

We’re currently showcasing a selection of Sandra’s work at the Old School including three superb originals, one of which is the superb Swaledale study, Yan, below …

… and we plan to get our hands on some more of Sandra’s work very soon. Watch this space!

New Arrivals, John Harrison

Published on December 15, 2017January 5, 2018 by RichardLeave a comment

John fought through a bad back and yesterday’s “seasonal” weather to deliver four, new, superb line and watercolour paintings of Muker, Gunnerside & Hemsley. We’re really chuffed he made the effort. I guess you have to suffer for your art!

Title: Muker

Artist: John Harrison

Medium: Original line and watercolour

Dimensions: ~H45cm x W35cm Framed

Price: £265

Title: Gunnerside

Artist: John Harrison

Medium: Original line and watercolour

Dimensions: ~ H64cm x W36cm Framed

Price: £295

Title: Swaledale over Gunnerside

Artist: John Harrison

Medium: Original line and watercolour

Dimensions: ~ H45cm x W35cm Framed

Price: £265

Title: Hemsley

Artist: John Harrison

Medium: Original line and watercolour

Dimensions: ~ H43m x W26cm Framed

Price: £225

Sigma SD Quatto H – First Shots

Published on August 27, 2017 by RichardLeave a comment

I’ve only had literally 20 minutes shooting with the Sigma SD Quattro H (paired with a Sigma 18-35mm DC) but couldn’t resist pushing out these shots. I was blown away when I first processed images from a Sigma Merrill … and I pretty much have the same feeling processing these. Can’t wait to get out and really put the camera through its paces.

_DQH0016 — Occupation Lane, Muker | Sigma SD Quattro H

_DQH0029 — Slate Roof | Sigma SD Quattro H

Post- processed using SPP and Lightroom.

Discovering Muker, 1950 Restored

Published on August 25, 2017January 5, 2018 by RichardLeave a comment

A recently re-discovered print of Muker, measuring 6 feet by 3 feet, found in Reeth Memorial Hall, and dating to circa 1950, one year before electricity came to the village and four years before the creation of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Considering its age it’s in remarkable condition. Who took remains a mystery but whoever it was, had a fine eye, a fine camera and a fine set of muscles to carry it!

_DSC3568 — Muker, Swaledale, circa 1950 Original

And hopefully the restored version below, now on sale to generate funds for Muker Village Hall, does the original photographer justice.

_DSC3566 — Muker, Swaledale, circa 1950 Restored

Conversations at the Old School – Sigma Foveon Cameras

Published on August 22, 2017November 5, 2017 by RichardLeave a comment

A wonderful thing about working in the Old School Gallery is the many conversations we have with the folks who visit; whether it’s the American lady who suddenly recited three Robert Frost poems, or the ex RAF Nimrod pilot who told me tales of flying over the North Atlantic, or the Chinese film maker recently returned from Tibet. We learn so much in these conversations and hopefully give a little back on the subject of art, crafts and photography.

DP0Q1239-Pano — Ivelet Bridge, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

A recurring conversation concerns Sigma’s “secret” cameras with their magic Foveon sensors. The trigger is the overheard debate between customers, discussing whether an image is a photograph or painting. It quickly moves on to the vibrant colours and immense detail, even in the far distance … and that brings us to the technical bit about Bayer sensors and Foveon sensors, micro-contrast, photons and wavelengths.

DP0Q1552-Edit-4 — Muker Meadows Sea | Sigma DP0 Quattro

If the technical bit doesn’t kill the customer off they invariably buy the print! … And one camera club member liked the print so much he returned to say he’d bought the camera!

DP0Q1328-Edit — Muker Meadows, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the top selling photographs in the gallery are taken by the Sigma DP0 Quattro. It offers something different from Bayer sensored cameras that the buying public seem to be instinctively drawn to, unbiased and unburdened by any technical knowledge or heavyweight marketing budgets. And as a photographer it provides me with a distinctive, unique, tool with which to capture the stunning scenery that surrounds our tiny village in upper Swaledale.

Richard

Discovering History At Muker – Wain Wath Force

Published on July 1, 2017July 1, 2017 by RichardLeave a comment

My short journey to reach the Cart Ford above the Foss, where you cross the Rushing River, began by The Small Cultivated Field. I passed through The Clearing, then on up the Dale, gaining height as I climbed through Grazing Land. If I’d been visiting my friend Waendel at his Woodland Clearing I’d have taken the pass before The Clearing, careful not to stumble and fall into the potholes full of cooling butter, and down past Sigemund’s Rock, or perhaps climbed up the hill to see if Sjon was at his Look Out Hill, then down past the Row of Shepherds Cottages. But today it was to the Cart Ford I was headed, to take photographs of the Foss and just beyond The Spring I found the very spot.

Richard

(Translations below 🙂 )

DP0Q1579-Edit — Below Wain Wath Force | Sigma DP0 Quattro

DP3M1522 — Below Wain Wath Force |Sigma DP3 Merrill

DP3M1525 — Below Wain Wath Force | Sigma DP3 Merrill

DP3M1519 — Below Wain Wath Force | Sigma DP3 Merrill

Old Norse & Old English Translations, with thanks to http://www.daelnet.co.uk/placenames/index.cfm

Cart Ford (Wain Wath)

Foss (Waterfall)

Rushing River (Swale)

The Small Cultivated Field (Muker)

The Clearing (Thwaite)

The Grazing Land (Angram)

The Spring (Keld)

Sigemund’s Rock (Simonstone)

Sjon’s look out hill (Shunner Fell)

Shepherds Row of Cottages (Hardraw).

Waendel at his Woodland Clearing (Wensleydale)

The High Seas of Muker, with the Sigma DP0 Quattro

Published on June 23, 2017June 24, 2017 by Richard1 Comment

Landlocked though we are, when the wind blows, the wild flower meadows become our sea.

DP0Q1543 — Muker Meadows, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

DP0Q1552 — Muker Meadows, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

DP0Q1482 — Muker Meadows, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

DP0Q1563 — Muker Meadows, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

DP0Q1544 — Muker Meadows, Swaledale | Sigma DP0 Quattro

Discovering Muker – Composition

Published on May 19, 2017May 19, 2017 by RichardLeave a comment

Yesterday’s beautiful day in Swaledale held the promise of a great evening’s photography, but as it approached closing time, and my chance to get out, the sky became overcast and the light flat. Nevertheless there was still chance to explore the countryside and search for interesting compositions so I pulled my boots on and headed out.

_DSC2773-Pano — From Crackpot Hall to Keld | Sony RX1rII stiched

_DSC2783 — Grass & Barn near Thwaite | Sony RX1rII

And then, after a quick pint at the Farmer’s Arms, the sky had cleared and overcast turned into gorgeous sunset.

DP3M1448 — Muker Sunset | Sigma DP3 Merrill

Discovering Upper Swaledale – Muker to Keld

Published on May 9, 2017May 9, 2017 by Richard1 Comment

An early morning walk from Muker to Keld, and back via Angram, to judge the morning mood. The weather was overcast, and light flat, until I arrived back at Muker, at which point the sun decided to come out, and then stay out all day. Sods law.

_DSC2627 — Looking back to Buttertubs | Sony RX1rII

_DSC2643 — Upper Swaledale | Sony RX1rII

_DSC2648 — Straw Beck, Muker | Sony RX1rII

Muker Monochrome – Year of Discovery

Published on May 5, 2017November 5, 2017 by Richard6 Comments

Our new life in Muker, Swaledale at the Old School, provides the opportunity to explore the countryside around, understand the light, read the weather, revisit scenes as the seasons pass, judge the moods, and develop a feel for the landscape with an intimacy I’ve never had the opportunity to do before. I’m sure it will take a year or two before I have a portfolio worthy of the landscape, but discovery is my favourite part of the process, and the process has begun.

Richard