Jenny Oldknow Guest Artist Part 1 Studio 61 Gallery

We have a new format for our guest artists questions its called the a-z blog and our guest can choose ten or more questions to talk  about themselves Jenny Oldknow is Novembers guest artist and we have two blogs to share with you from Jenny as she talks in depth about her art and inspirations, so grab a cup of tea and read part one!

a. Tell me about yourself  
   I am a full-time artist living and working on the edge of the market town of Belper in Derbyshire. My studio is at home, which is great as I can squeeze in plenty of working time around being a wife and a mother of three children (aged between seven and eleven), handy for late night painting sessions!

b. Talk a bit about your path into art
     I have always painted, but was sidetracked into a career working with horses (also a life-long love of mine) after leaving school. I was still an active member of my local art group (in Mickleover, Derby then in Belper) and art was always something I did as a hobby and worked to improve my skills in. It wasn’t until my eldest child was born in 2004 that my life changed beyond recognition and started the sequence of events that led to me working as an artist professionally. Most parents will agree that the arrival of a child turns their world upside down, but this is especially the case when the child has severe special needs, as we rapidly discovered our firstborn had. We were soon catapulted into a whirlwind of hospitals and appointments which put an end to any plans of mine of returning back to employment outside of the home. One of the effects of our sons disability was epilepsy which required the use of pretty strong medication which meant that he slept rather more than the average child, and not being the domestic goddess type, I found that there was only so much house cleaning I could do, so I began painting more and more. I didn’t realise it at the time, but art probably saved my sanity from all the stress I was under at the time. More practice meant my skills and confidence grew and people began to suggest I sold my work and asked me to do commissions. At that time a new gallery opened in Belper and I showed them my work, which they liked, and which sold, so they asked for more work, and as they say, I never looked back!

c. What is your artistic medium of choice? 
Why that medium?       Drawing for me is the basis for all my work, and is something that I have always done regularly. If I stop working in my sketchbook for any length of time, I notice my work suffers as a consequence. So a simple ink pen and sketchbook would always be enough for me to be satisfied creatively. When I was fifteen I had a stay in hospital, so to cheer me up, my father bought me a good set of watercolours, and I continue to love watercolour to this day. For years it was my main painting medium I love its fluidity and spontaneity, something I always found lacking in other mediums. However, discovering water-soluble oils has given me an interesting option of using oils in a different way, more fluid like the watercolours, which is something I am currently exploring. Most recently I have been looking at printmaking, in particular drypoint, as a way of taking my love of ink drawing a step further. Again, this is very new to me, and I am currently taking workshops with local print studios. I have been brave and have a drypoint as part of this exhibition at Studio 61!

d. What was the last show you attended?  
     The 2015 Print Exchange a few weeks ago at the Green Door Printmaking Studio in Derby. It was very inspiring, and fueled my enthusiasm for this medium. I always like to go to exhibitions as often as possible to recharge and inspire me, The RA Summer Exhibition is an annual favourite of mine.

e. Where do you see your work taking you?  
       I try not to think too much about goals past a two year time-scale, as so much can happen beyond that, so I am thinking of exhibitions I will be doing over the next couple of years (I have firm dates in my diary for exhibitions right up to the end of 2017), and the sort of work I would like to do for them. I have learnt to leave a certain amount of flexibility in my plans to allow for the unexpected opportunities to be accommodated. I have also written haiku poetry for a long time, and this is something that I want to somehow include more in my art, and I would like to produce a book of my art and my haiku at some point.

f. If you could picture yourself 5, 10 years from now,
where would you be and what would you be doing?          More printmaking, oil paintings? Creating new work, challenging myself to new things and new ways of seeing the world and expressing it in my art in different ways, and of course exhibiting it. I would still see myself being primarily inspired by the natural world, but in exactly what way I don’t know, nor would I wish to plan in advance, as I want my journey to be based on genuine personal inspiration. One thing is sure, I wouldn’t consider myself ever to be where I want to be, as every goal that is achieved is immediately replaced by a new goal, a higher rung on the ladder to climb. As soon as I become complacent in where I currently am, I guess I would get bored and it would be time to give up. The day I stop trying to reach a goal with my art is the day I die!    
    
g. Do you see yourself in your artwork? How?
             As long as I remain true to myself as an artist and produce the work I want to create, I think every bit of what I do is somehow part of me, from the fact that it has inspired me as an artist in the first place, and that I am depicting it in the way that I respond to the subject matter.

h. What do you think your work stands for?  
        I want it to be a celebration of the natural world I love, as I observe it, through the different seasons and in varied weather conditions. The natural world has a honest beauty that has enthralled artists for thousands of years, since the first prehistoric cave paintings, and it is certainly something that I never tire of. I also want my work to stand for something that encourages people to see that they can achieve anything if they want it badly enough, in particular women and mothers, that out of circumstances beyond our control, amazing and positive things can happen that can change us and our lives for the better.

Thank you Jenny we will share part two next week please sign up for our blog to recieve them as an email.

Jonathan Shepherd Octobers Guest Artist at Studio 61 Gallery

Octobers guest artist is the extremely talented Jonathan Shepherd best be quick as his work doesnt stay on the walls for long! Read about his inspirations below:

Who are you and what do you do?

I'm Jonathan Shepherd and I'm an artist painting mainly in oils and owner of Peakland Arts picture framers in Matlock, Derbyshire. 

Why do you do what you do? 

I have to be creative, it doesn't feel like a choice but something I have to do and it applies to all aspects of my life whether that's painting or making furniture for our home or designing our garden.

What’s your background? 

I started out my working life as a plumber and served my apprentice at this. Whilst I was plumbing my father had started picture framing, mainly to supply the giftshop that my parents had at the time. The bespoke side of the framing business really took off and my father was too busy to cope on his own so asked me if I wanted to join him in the business which i did when i was 20 and continue to run now. My father was also an artist and although i enjoyed drawing and painting it was seeing him selling his paintings which inspired me to take it up more professionally. 

How has your practice changed over time? 

Initially I used to paint mainly in watercolours and then changed to acrylics after a few years. I used to like acrylics because they dried quickly but now i prefer oils for the opposite reason. I can go back to an oil painting after 24 hours and still manipulate the paint i had put on previously. I paint in several styles from traditional realistic landscapes to abstracts and impressionitic paintings but lately have been producing lowryesque naive paintings. I don't think i could just stick to one style as I enjoy experimenting and like the challenge that different methods present.

What work do you most enjoying doing?

I most enjoy painting Mountain landscapes in a realistic style but i get pleasure out of all my paintings with the exception of a few that never seem to go quite how I want them to no matter how hard i try but I think this is the same for most artists.

What’s your favourite art work?

Anything by Alfred de Breanski but in particular his painting titled "In the Mountains" and more locally I like the work of Rex Preston.

What inspires you?

I suppose nature is my biggest inspiration it provides a never ending supply of subject matter that changes with the seasons and weather. I'm also often inspired by the work of other artists.

What do you dislike about the art world?

I can't be doing with the pretentiousness  that you often find in the art world I think some artists sell their work on their or their critic's. verbal description of it rather than the work selling on it's own merit. 

 What research to you do?

It depends on what i'm painting at the time and how much research it needs most of my lowry style paintings are entirely made up so the only research I do in that case is looking up building styles for the period and trying to find any old photos of industrial street scenes. For anything that i have no reference for the internet is a great source of images and information.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

Howard Terpening, Alfred de Breanski and Stephen Lyman. 

Thank you Jonathan I will be googling those artists myself!

Catch Jonathan's exhibition throughout October Tuesday to Sunday. read more about him here: http://derbyshireartist.tripod.com/  

     

10th Birthday Blog

Where have all the years gone?  As I enter my 11th year in business I've been reflecting on the many happy years and all the lovely friends I have made along the way.  It's been an amazing journey, from the early days when it was on a very part time basis as I wanted to be able to take and collect Katie and Harry from school, to now a full 6 days a week gallery with those little kids now covering for me Sundays and when I escape to Cornwall to paint or recharge my batteries.

Now my studio room!

I couldn't have done all this without the help and support of my kids and hubby Nige who has always believed in me and let me "live the dream" and is the mastermind and expert in our Fine Art Printing business.   My lovely mum and dad also need a thank you for spending hours in those early days painting  gallery walls after it was flooded, painting furniture for my new gallery, folding cards and always being there.  It was a privilege to honour my mum, Moo, in my first children's book inspired by her stories and my Dad Dennis features in my next book!!!  

Sue & I demolishing the kiln

Big thanks also to close friends Sue and Clint for allowing me this space 5 years ago  Previously the Alan Ward Pottery Studio it felt like home as soon as I went inside but needed so much work

(check out the pics in the gallery of how it looked like before renovation)


A big thank you also has to go to my lovely customers, many of whom have regularly supported me over the years.

The Artist Friends of Studio 61 need a huge mention too and they have kindly sent a few words for this blog

Martin Sloman Artist

Cromford Studio and Gallery Owner

I have known Karina a very long time since the days before her gallery when I attended her art and craft fairs in the early 2000s.

It has been a pleasure to work with her over the years on various projects including  craft fairs, Derbyshire Open Arts and then the pop up galleries in Allestree which led to our BBC Radio Derby interview. The Pop Up Galleries . The led to us forming the g2g group after I opened my own gallery in Cromford,and now we work closely together promoting each other and the trail in between. 

Congratulations Karina on 10 years,  here's to many more!

Janice Allen Artist and Jewellery Maker

From The Coach House at Lea to Holloway no matter where Studio61 is based its the lady behind the gallery that's the inspiration and who inspires others.

I’d popped to one of Karina’s Craft fairs in 2006 and this is where it started for me. I dabbled in painting for family and friends and  I’d mentioned I painted cards so Karina asked if I wanted a stall. Since that time I have exhibited and sold my work which now hangs in homes around the world.  Painting and now designing and making jewellery is the way I relax and its just about ‘me’.

Mark Langley Artist

My first exhibition was at The Coach House not long after the gallery had opened with just a few pictures to sell. It was great being able to find a starting point for exhibiting in a gallery not far from Belper   I have exhibited twice at the second location where today it still has an idyllic spot made more special by Karina's own style of vibrant presentation.  I would think a lot of artists today in the county and beyond also started with an exhibition display and selling from the wall at Studio 61 also.  Happy 10th birthday!

Art By Mandy

In the beginning my professional journey as an artist in 2007 you were the first gallery to show my work at your other location at Lea   

My Journey lots of ups luckily not many downs, downside only being the recession. Both my landscapes and portraits have been exhibited at your Gallery including the Pop Up show's,  Allestree, DH Lawrence Museum, Eastwood and Derbyshire Open Arts.. Being a part of Studio 61 Gallery means we show support for one another and over the years created a great group of friends whether via gallery, social media including @gallery2gallery.

Thank you and; Congratulations!

Valerie Dalling Visual Artist/Photographer

I first Karina back in 2008 when I called into her studio having only recently graduated, and I’ll never forget her kind words of encouragement. We weren’t to meet again until February 2013, when we began working together offering photography and painting days at the gallery.

Since then I’ve been invited to exhibit alongside her and other talented artists in Allestree, the DH Lawrence Museum Eastwood, Derbyshire Open Arts and only last month as guest artist at the gallery.

In the two years since I’ve got to know Karina, she’s become my stockist, printer, employer, mentor and most importantly my friend. She has such a great sense of humour, and is a wonderful artist...it’s been a real pleasure Karina, congratulations on your achievements over the last 10 years and thank you.

Silvana Jewellery

Having first spoken with Karina way back in December 2009, it’s amazing to think how far we’ve both come in that time.  She was one of the first gallery owners to give me the opportunity to show off my work when I was still a part-time designer in all my variations and struggling to get noticed – from sterling silver and copper to pewter and enamel;  from classic to now mainly animals or downright quirky!

Six years later, having supported me with gallery space and 

advice, Karina offered me the chance to create the Hippity Hop pendant – may the collaboration continue!

 

Ruth Gray Artist

The gallery and Karina have been instrumental in getting my work seen in Derbyshire after returning from Australia where for six years I had previously been exhibiting and working as an artist.

Karina gave me my UK break and for the last four/five years I have been exhibiting work at Studio 61 Gallery and also assisting on various projects and helping write the blog.

I love the friendships I have made and the gallery is more than an exhibiting space its like a home from home. The selection of work is tied in with the personality of the artist as much as the pieces themselves so you can be sure that who made the piece is 100% as beautiful as the work itself.

Antonia Disney

Previously Antonia Booker jewellery

Now Owner of the Focus Gallery in Nottingham

When I left university and set up myself I knew I needed to find galleries who would want to stock my jewellery. I searched for local ones and came across this beautiful gallery up in the rolling hills of Derbyshire called Studio 61. 

Karina was lovely and as an artist you worry about what people will think of your work
 but she was very complimentary and eager to help. 

I had a showcase in cabinet and once that had finished Karina kept some on. Although I don’t stock with her now I will never forget the kindness and positivity she bestowed on me which helped me feel confident to approach other galleries which has helped me return the favour to countless artists at my own gallery

Jen Oldknow Artist

As an artist whose work is totally inspired by the rural landscape and the creatures which live within it, it is a pleasure to be associated with the Studio 61 Gallery, which has always shown an eclectic selection of work which celebrates the beauty of the natural world

.

This family run gallery is in an idyllic location just up the road from me, in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, so I have been fortunate to be able to visit regularly over the years. Karina has been a great support and encouragement to me since my early days as an exhibiting artist, and has been there to celebrate the successes I have been lucky to have had since. It has also been lovely to see the gallery flourish and expand into areas such as fine-art printing, as well as sharing Karina’s own personal creative journey, as a talented artist in her own right. I look forward to continuing to show my work at the gallery in the future, including my second solo exhibition at the gallery, themed ‘Creature and Countryside’, this November.

Jackie Ward - TreeHuggery

I was introduced to Karina about 3 years ago, when I was interested in having some giclee printing done. After a couple of conversations by email, I drove up the very steep hill to meet her at Studio 61, and so begun a firm friendship. 

 Not only did Studio 61 blow me away, so did the quality of the printing; and all the help, advice and support that I received. 

Three years into our friendship and I’m really proud that I’ve been asked to work on several collaborations with Karina, not only is it immensely flattering to work with someone who is so talented, it’s just so much fun working with someone who is one of the most inspiring and innovative people that I know. 

Mel Anderson Designs

Buzz Gallery Owner

I was really chuffed to be asked by Karina, to exhibit here with my textile felt work at Studio 61 Gallery a few years ago with Helen Rhodes, my first at a proper gallery! We were also invited to take part at this beautiful gallery for the Derbyshire Open Arts and couldn't have asked for a kinder hostess, warmer welcome and fabulous location. 


Always there with good advice, a smile and hug, thanks so much for everything Karina. Have an amazing 10th Birthday, here's to many more!

Helen Domleo Jewellery

I approached Karina at Studio 61 in 2013 and was excited when my work was taken on consignment in August 2013.

It has been an exciting relationship during which I have had the opportunity to explore different styles of jewellery and lead to the creation of my small leaf range which has proved popular in the gallery. At present I am working on a range is small ivy and willow leaves as well as some different types of flowers which will be in the gallery soon.

I would like to thank Karina and her team for their support and I hope that the next 10 years sees the gallery grow from strength to strength. I feel proud to be part of the gallery.

Nansy Ferret Art

I first exhibited with Karina at one of her pop up galleries a few years ago. My youngest had just started school & I was nervously venturing out to become a self employed artist. Karina was welcoming and encouraging.

 

We share a love of vans and caravans which sometimes feature in my work, and she bought one of my paintings at that first exhibition. Since then I have exhibited work at Studio 61 as part of a Christmas exhibition and also as a joint exhibition with Jen Aitken. I have been there a few times with a sketchbook just to draw; chat with other artists and although they were all much more established than me, I never felt uncomfortable amongst them. It felt like I had found the heart of local creativity. The gallery is a beautiful, cosy space in an idyllic area and is definitely worth a visit. Karina is always warm, welcoming and enthusiastic and there is a fabulous variety of art there, from prints  paintings to jewellery, glass, ceramics. Gifts for all occassions and to a high standard. A lovely place to visit, grab a coffee, browse the artwork and have a chat.

Kate Beinder Artist

I was pleased to be accepted as Artist in the Window last November. I also had some watercolour lessons with Karina which were very relaxed, helpful and encouraging and have been to art demonstrations and 'Meet the Artists' at the gallery.  

Studio 61 is a lovely gallery with a warm welcome every time you visit and lots of fabulous, original artworks and crafts. Keep up the good work, Karina.

Sharon Louise Art

Whilst having to find my placement for an art course I came across a wonderful little gallery Studio61 Karina Goodman's Gallery. Since finding such a warm inviting and inspirational place I have now become a part of the furniture and never left

Being new to the art world I am truly thankful for meeting such a supportive artist Karina who always has time for me and taken me under her wing and shows guidance also displayed my work .... plus great laughs and now a great friendship to.

I would like to say Happy Birthday Studio61 it is lovely to be a part of a great achievement and I hope that i can be a part of the next 10 yrs.Congratulations Mrs ! Here's to another 10 years

Pat Odowd Artist

I have only been acquainted with Karina for a matter of weeks.  I approached her with a good deal of trepidation as I had never previously contacted a gallery with the aim of depositing my work for sale.

I found Karina very easy to talk to and very helpful and encouraging.  She agreed to take 3 pieces of my work and I left the gallery feeling ten feet tall.

Hopefully some of my work will sell and I can become much better acquainted with you all!

Congratulations on 10 years of your gallery.

Frances Daunt –Garden Gallery Crafts

Studio 61 is the perfect gallery – intimate, friendly and packed with stunning work. And it’s in the village next to mine

I create felted artwork and Karina has been exhibiting a few of my pieces for about a year now. My work, created by a mixture of wet felting and needle felting, portrays animals and is largely inspired by my life in Derbyshire. I am very excited to be Karina’s guest artist in December and have been busy creating some pieces especially for then.

Jayne Nemeth Artist

 Karina has been displaying and selling my work at Studio 61 for a couple of years now.

LOVE the gallery cosy and eclectic, Karina is friendly and supportive ,great with advice or even being a sounding block.

I use inks and acrylic or watercolour to produce local and coastal scenes and Karina is always happy to stock both originals and prints of these for me.

The associated printing service is great too, quick, efficient and nothing too much trouble.

I've previously been an Artist in the window here and wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Julia Crossland Art

 I was over the moon to be invited to have my very first solo exhibition at the wonderful Studio 61 Gallery.  My exhibition was called Coast to Coast and featured illustrative paintings of the seaside.

 Working with Karina was a pleasure, and from our very first meeting I felt like I had made a good friend, rather than just a work acquaintance. 

Studio 61 is a really lovely art space, and I always forget I'm in the middle of Derbyshire, it's got such a happy coastal feel to it!

Thanks for having me Karina, and Happy 10th Birthday!

Emma Farrow Art

 I first  met Karina as a very naive artist, starting out selling artwork with Ruth Gray's help who introduced us. I was introduced to the world of prints and the quality that Karina produced, helping with pricing and general art world know how. I am also an angel and tarot card reader and Karina was kind enough to host 2 of my events also showcasing my artwork.

I have had prints and original paintings in Karina's gallery.

Always a warm welcome, inspirational art, and lots to look at with a hot chocolate and would class Karina as a dear friend. Thank You.

Max Hale Art

Karina and I met via her and my professional Facebook pages, subsequently I was invited to exhibit work as the monthly artist in the window. During this period I was tutoring courses on how to use water-mixable oil paints and Karina asked me to to a demonstration in her gallery.

It was from there that my relationship with her and her friendly group of artists blossomed and since then I have been back again to do a full day demonstration and Karina has joined me on one of my painting holidays in Cornwall.

Also a lovely friendship has formed with my partner and I sharing a curry or several with Karina and Nige on many occasions 



THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE KIND WORDS.. it has been an incredible journey and I have made so many lovely friends along the way.

Karina xx

September Interview with Featured Artist Barbara Helm

Joining us here at Studio 61 Gallery is the lovely Barbara Helm whose monoprints are an absolute joy and will bring a vibrancy to the gallery as the weather turns towards Autumn this September. read all about Barbara below:

Who are you and what do you do? 
Barbara Helm and printmaking

What’s your background? 
A BTEC Foundation Dip in Art & Design, which I did in my 60s, after taking retirement. I'm currently taking the Complete Printmaker course at Hot Bed Press in Salford.

How has your practice changed over time? 
I've become more focused on printmaking techniques, and expanded my knowledge and skills, particularly with monoprinting.

 
What work do you most enjoying doing? 
I love experimenting with colour and texture in my monoprints.  Plus there are always happy accidents, and I like to think “what would happen if I did this...”

What’s your favourite art work? 
Anything by Van Gogh.  I love the vibrancy and energy of his paintings.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist? 
I was a University Administrator for many years.

Why art? 
It's something I've always wanted to explore, and practice but life, until retirement, just never gave me enough time. Now there's no stopping me!

Is the artistic life lonely? What do you do to counteract it? 
I don't find it lonely at all, I've met so many other artists since I started making art, it's wonderful to be able to discuss ideas and practices with others who are just a interested in the subject as you.  And I always have an audiobook on in my studio whilst I'm working!

What do you dislike about the art world? 
Intellectualism and the idea that art is somehow an elite area, when in fact it is open to all.

 
What do you like about your work? 
I love monoprinting as it gives me lots of opportunity to experiment, particularly with colour.

Professionally, what’s your goal? 
To produce thoughtful, interesting and exciting work.

Thank you Barbara!

Gallery news:

Our first Saturday Morning Kids Craft Club kicks off on 26 September with "Make a Beaded Flower" 10.30-12 all materials included & a soft drink £7.95. Age 7+ (grown ups welcome) Places limited. Booking essential.

You Are Invited

On September 20th a preview of a new collection of oil paintings by Karina Goodman inspired by the skies and landscapes of The Peak District and the Cornish coastline. 

This unseen work has been painted either in Karinas studio or on a beach or cliff top in Cornwall and will also mark the 10th anniversary of Studio 61 - Karina Goodman Gallery 
Come along and enjoy wine and nibbles between 4pm and 7pm.

Valerie Dalling August Exhibition at Studio 61

Valerie Dalling is a well respected Derbyshire photographer and we are lucky that she is available to hold an exhibition here at Studio 61 during August, Valerie will also be looking after the gallery a few days during here show please see the dates below her interview:

Tell us about your current practice, what have you been doing the last 12 months? 

Hi, well this last 12 months seems to have flown by, largely due to ongoing projects, which have taken me up into the Peak District on a fairly regular basis. The projects have enabled me to enjoy a complete sense of freedom in my approach to the landscape both visually and technically, enabling me to experiment and develop new skills as my work has been evolving. 

I have also enjoyed exploring new landscapes through visits to London, Prague and Scotland. Combined with commissions for portraiture in the landscape, location work and not forgetting the opportunity to bring a touch of Feng Shui to the office environment, it’s been a pretty busy year one way or another, resulting in a healthier portfolio and a new website to boot. 

  Has your work taken any new direction since we last interviewed you? 

I was asked recently what I do for work, and when I answered “I’m a photographer” the response came back “Oh you’re another frustrated artist then”. Ironic really, because as you know I’ve always had an interest in connections between painting and photography. 

I constantly strive to create painterly images, thinking of my camera as the paintbrush, and in what little spare time I’ve had over this last year, I even started to learn how to paint in watercolours, in order to try and experience the artform first hand.  

In answer to the question though, since my last interview, yes my work will have changed, but I think it’s inevitable for any artist who likes to see some kind of progression in their art, keeping it fresh and exciting, but my philosophy on any new direction I may have taken remains the same. I have never wanted to be pigeon holed into one particular way of working. I learn something new every day and apply it to my art, however I feel it’s appropriate at the time, and simply let my work grow organically. It’s the way I love to work, I love being in the landscape, it has so much to offer, so why would I wish to be anything but open-minded while I’m out there enjoying it?  

What are the pieces about that you have selected for this show? 

Following on from Question 2, I have selected a few abstracts for this show, where I have felt a sense of intimacy, as I’ve tried to get close to my subject. The pieces from my Flow Series are a small part of the bigger picture as I continue to enjoy looking deeper into the waters of the Peak District, conveying both movement and mood through colour, shape and texture, created by the light as it falls on the water, and with very little post processing involved. 

You seem to have moved more to abstraction is that anything to do with your affinity to painters?  

I think I’ve probably already covered this in an earlier question, but would add that I do have an affinity to art in general whether that be painters that have inspired me such as J.M.W. Turner, Mark Rothko and Edward Hopper, the sculptural work of Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore to photographers such as Fay Godwin, Laura Gilpin and John Blakemore, as well performance art through dance, music and poetry. As with any artist’s list of inspiration, it’s endless of course, but my biggest influence will always be the landscape itself. 

What are your plans for the coming year? Any exhibitions or plans? 

I have my first solo exhibition coming up in September at Banks Mill Studios, which is the bigger picture I mentioned earlier. Journeys Through The Landscape is just that, all about my travels around the Peak District. This exhibition is intended to provide a brief introduction to a particularly personal project I’ve committed myself to work on indefinitely. Four different stages of the project will enable me to combine my abstracts with more representational work, which I find very exciting and completely liberating as an artist. 

I have also very recently been approached by another well-respected Derbyshire Gallery who are interested in my work, which is a great compliment and most encouraging. 

As regards the rest, a photography group I facilitate in Ockbrook will begin its eighth year in September, a lovely non-competitive group I founded in 2008. I saw this as a way of sharing my love of photography with others when I finished my studies, while at the same time providing members as well as myself of course, with opportunities for learning, which as far as I’m concerned never stops. 

I’m also in the middle of a Summer Programme of Walks with the Camera details of which can be found on the walks page of my website www.valeriedalling.com and I’ve started working on a lovely collaboration focusing on the River Lathkill. 

I suppose to summarise my year ahead is to continue enjoying and feeling passionate about my art, for which I have no doubts whatsoever, put a smile on my bank manager’s face, for which I have some doubts, and finally to continue helping others, which I find personally very rewarding, and be happy and healthy while doing it.  Another busy year ahead… 

Thank you Studio 61 for the opportunity of sharing a few of my thoughts with you. 

Valerie will be in the gallery with her work on
Sunday 2 August   
Thursday 6th August
Friday 7th August
and Sunday 9th August