Alan Thompson
One could never have imagined how life would be for us all during the two years since my last exhibition. It has made me realise how we should take nothing for granted, cherish and value what we have, and how lucky I am to live in Cumbria, amongst its varied and ever changing landscape. It also goes without saying that to have spent my life painting this landscape (and making a living from it) has been a huge privilege. So here is my latest collection, some subjects within lockdown (walking distance from home), the rest from Eden and the Lakes. The usual struggles preoccupy me, finding suitable
subjects, arranging them compositionally within the picture rectangle, capturing an impression of the light, the weather, the drama of the seasons, with enough detail and colour that I’m able to with brushes and oil paint.
Thanks for viewing my latest work. I hope I’ve been able to convey some of the beauty of this amazing landscape, its trees, fields, walls, its mountains, rivers, clouds, storms and sunshine, mists and frosts. Thanks also to all at Beckstones for their hard work putting the exhibition together in these challenging times.
2. Wintry Patterdale from the path to Place Fell 25 x 32 cm
3. Distant haze, looking towards the Head of Ullswater from Gowbarrow 28 x 30 cm
5. Winter sunset towards the Derwentwater fells 20 x 30 cm 6. Golden skies, whooper swans and flooding, Eden Valley 36 x 25 cm
4. Early morning swim on the Eden 17 x 26 cm
7. Reflections, Little Langdale Tarn 30 x 60 cm
8. Distant storm, the Jaws of Borrowdale 38 x 61 cm
9. Derwentwater reflections looking towards Kettlewell 30 x 53 cm
10. Sunset behind winter trees 18 x 26 cm
11. Snow, shadow and sheep 18 x 26 cm
15. Wild flower garden by Loughrigg Tarn 20 x 33 cm
16. September sunshine, River Eden towards Culgaith 30 x 42 cm
17. Passing storm, towards Glenridding from the Brown Hills, Ullswater 25 x 38 cm
18. Spring, Hoff Beck near Appleby 28 x 42 cm
19. Summer, Ullswater from Gowbarrow 33 x 48 cm
20. Stepping stones across the River Derwent near Rosthwaite 20 x 39 cm
21. Frosty evening, River Eden near Culgaith 24 x 43 cm
22. Frozen fields, Eden Valley from Bank Hall Wood, Kirkland 21 x 30 cm
23. Autumn, Brotherswater 18 x 31 cm 24. Wild flower meadow near Langwathby 20 x 29 cm
25. Clearing skies, Ullswater from Watermillock 31 x 50 cm
29. Elderflower blossom below Cross Fell 22 x 24 cm
27. Autumn light, River Eden 18 x 26 cm
30. Tranquil water, Loughrigg Tarn 25 x 37 cm
35. High summer, River Eden near Temple Sowerby 21 x 38 cm
36. Swaledale rams near Ullswater 33 x 29 cm
37. Autumn colour, River Derwent by Grange in Borrowdale 24 x 41 cm
38. Winter reflections, Grasmere 25 x 61 cm
39. Spring, buttercup meadows and hawthorn blossom, Bampton and the Haweswater Fells
40. Early morning frost, Eden Valley beck 18 x 26 cm
44. Sunset over the River Eden 27 x 39 cm
43. Early autumn, Fleetwith Pike and the Buttermere Fells from Crummock Water 25 x 45 cm
45. Peaceful afternoon, Aira Beck, Ullswater 18 x 28 cm 46. Foxgloves 28 x 18 cm
47. Wild flowers and grasses by the River Lowther near Askham 26 x 76 cm
48. Snow on the Ullswater fells from Beacon Edge, Penrith 30 x 48 cm
50. Sunshine through the trees, Glencoyne, Ullswater 22 x 55 cm
As we slowly emerge from lockdown, it is with great delight that we launch our 2021 exhibition with landscape artist Alan Thompson. What a perfect way to reacquaint ourselves with the wonders of this most beautiful part of the world after such a prolonged absence.
With a keen appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us, Alan Thompson captures the landscape quite perfectly with his supremely skilful use of oil paint. His exquisite paintings, so expertly executed and well composed, are a pleasure to behold and this new collection of 50 paintings is no exception. Alan’s ability to suffuse a painting with just enough light, elevating an otherwise ordinary scene to the extraordinary, is one of his trademarks, along with his eye for detail, depth of vibrant colour and of course sheer technical skill. Painting in every season, Alan captures everything that the landscape has to offer in all weathers, conveying that particular moment in time with his natural and instinctive talent.
Living on the edge of the Lake District in the peaceful Eden Valley with his wife Kathryn, Alan is surrounded by inspirational subject matter and is forever chasing the light, searching for the view that might create the perfect composition.
Alan was born in 1953 near Penrith and studied at Carlisle College of Art before gaining a first class honours degree at Leicester. A post graduate scholarship to the famed Slade School of Art, University College London followed where he studied under Uglow, Freud and Coldstream leading to a very successful professional career. His biennial landscape exhibition at Beckstones is always a high point of our exhibition calendar with collectors all over the world eagerly awaiting the new release.
So if it’s been way too long since you last saw the Lake District in all its glory, sit back, relax and enjoy this beautiful collection.
TO PURCHASE
howThe works illustrated are available for sale prior to the exhibition immediately on receipt of this catalogue.
To check availability and place orders:
• telephone 01768 483601
• visit the gallery in person
• email enquiries@beckstonesartgallery.co.uk
All paintings are oil on board. Sizes shown are in centimetres and give the dimensions of the actual image excluding the frame.
The exhibition runs from 10am on 3 July to 5pm Sun 18 July 2021. The full catalogue can also be viewed nearer the date online at beckstonesartgallery.co.uk
We regret that paintings cannot be held on reserve for approval.
Please note that paintings are available to purchase immediately
Beckstones
beckstonesartgallery.co.uk
