Alan Thompson Exhibition 2019

18 - 27 May 2019

Alan Thompson

In these uncertain and ever changing times, it is very reassuring to know that there are some things that can be relied upon to raise the spirits and gladden the soul. This wonderful collection of 47 new Alan Thompson oil paintings is exactly what the doctor ordered – the perfect distraction and something to remind us all of the breathtaking beauty that surrounds us in this quite glorious part of the world.

Beckstones has been extremely fortunate to have worked closely with Alan Thompson for the best part of the last 40 years, many of his paintings have passed through our hands and are lovingly cherished in homes throughout the UK and beyond. Working exclusively in oil, Alan paints detailed landscapes primarily of the Lake District and Eden Valley with occasional sojourns to places further afield. It is Alan’s mastery of light together with the vibrancy and depth of colour which give his paintings a three dimensional quality encapsulating the very essence of the Lake District and Eden Valley.

His rare natural ability and outstanding technical skill result in paintings so true to life that they virtually transport the viewer to the scene.

Born near Penrith in 1953, Alan studied at Carlisle College of Art after leaving school. He gained a first class honours degree at Leicester in 1976 and was then awarded a post-graduate scholarship to the famed Slade School of Art, University College, London where he studied under Uglow, Freud and Coldstream.

Alan lives in the Eden Valley with his wife Kathryn. He has 3 grown up children and has recently become a grandfather. This is his 7th exhibition at Beckstones and it is our pleasure to introduce this impressive collection.

Welcome to my latest Beckstones exhibition with a collection of paintings done throughout the seasons over the past two years, mainly within a twenty mile radius of home in this wonderful Cumbrian landscape.

I’ve painted mist, snow and sunsets, spring blossom, skies, storms and reflections, mountains, lakes, rivers, trees, fields and flowers - all fine subjects.

Sometimes when painting for instance the blue of a sky, I think about how it all connects. The pigment I am using comes from crushed stone found in the mountains. The trees provide wood for painting supports and brush handles. The clouds that I am painting create water which forms the lakes and

rivers and becks, which in turn create the nutrients for the trees and plants to grow. Also I wonder at the mystery of how a wood becomes a mass of bluebells, a field a wild flower meadow, a hedgerow a heady amazement of blossom. And painting itself, how by moving a few bits of pigment around a flat surface we can create a recognisable interpretation of these things. All pretty amazing.

I’ll stop rambling and I hope you enjoy some of my interpretations!

Thanks once again to Karen and Niki at Beckstones for all their hard work putting the exhibition together.

1. Summer calm, Ullswater from Sharrow Cottages 29 x 46 cm

2. Dusk, River Eden near Temple Sowerby 20 x 40 cm

3. Early autumn, Bridge End Farm, Little Langdale 27 x 43 cm

4. Burst of light, Deepdale Beck 28 x 36 cm

5. Herdwicks sheltering by a wall, Martindale 30 x 33 cm

6. Autumn reflections, Grasmere 26 x 35 cm

7. Spring hawthorn and buttercups 19 x 23 cm

8. Late summer sunshine, River Derwent near Rosthwaite 23 x 61 cm

9. Still water, Grasmere 24 x 38 cm

10. Eden Valley bluebells and birches 30 x 40 cm

11. Late September, River Brathay near Slater’s Bridge, Little Langdale 32 x 43 cm

12. Clearing skies Crummock Water, looking towards Fleetwith Pike 42 x 61 cm

14. Cottages by the River Brathay, Little Langdale 20 x 28 cm

13. Lakeshore path, Brotherswater 23 x 31 cm

15. Hazy day, Elterwater and the Langdales 31 x 61 cm

16. Side House Farm and the Langdale Pikes, Great Langdale 36 x 46 cm

17. Snowy reflections from Silver Point, Ullswater 31 x 61 cm

18. Heavy snow, Herdwicks and the Ullswater fells 50 x 60 cm

19.Yellow flags and waterlilies, Loughrigg Tarn 60 x 41 cm

20. Waterlilies and purple loosestrife by the River Brathay 42 x 32 cm

21. Summer evening, buttercup field near Sharrow Bay, Ullswater 22 x 29 cm 22. Distant sun, Brotherswater looking towards Dove Crag 22 x 31 cm

23. Summertime, Great Bay, Derwentwater towards Lodore and Ashness Woods 41 x 51 cm

24. Wild flowers and hayfields near Patterdale 36 x 61 cm

25. Minature daffodills 19 x 14 cm

26. Rembrandt tulips 19 x 14 cm

27. Autumn chill, lane near Culgaith 20 x 39 cm

28. Heather, Scale Beck near Crummock Water 31 x 28 cm

29. Late autumn snow, Grasmere 35 x 46 cm

30. Low cloud, Derwentwater and Skiddaw 22 x 28 cm

31. Two hawthorns, Ullswater from the Brown Hills 23 x 27 cm

32. Springtime, River Eden 20 x 33 cm

33. Peaceful afternoon, looking towards Red Bank, Grasmere 19 x 29 cm

34. Swiss Alps, the Eiger, the Monch and the Jungfrau 44 x 59 cm

35. Waterfalls in the Italian Alps 61 x 43 cm

36. Haweswater Beck reflections 17 x 25 cm

37. Hawthorn and buttercups in the Eden Valley 19 x 27 cm

38. Towards the Knotts and Swinburn Park from Hallin Fell, Ullswater 27 x 50 cm

39. Dramatic sky, Ullswater from Gowbarrow 26 x 32 cm

40. Early autumn, Buttermere towards Haystacks 26 x 32 cm

42. Two hawthorns, Haweswater Beck 15 x 21 cm

41. Winter sunset, mallards on Ullswater 27 x 31 cm

43. Scots Pines above Ullswater and Glenridding 44 x 79 cm

44. Evening light, Loughrigg Tarn and the Langdales 24 x 37 cm

45. Late summer, Grasmere 19 x 24 cm

47. Marsh marigolds, Lyvennet Beck 25 x 29 cm

46. Bluebells, Flakebridge Woods near Appleby 19 x 24 cm

48. Autumn, Ullswater from Silver Crag 36 x 62 cm

purchase H OW TO

THE WORKS ILLUSTRATED WILL BE 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 in oil and are framed. Sizes shown are in cm and give the dimensions of the actual image excluding the frame.

The exhibition runs from: 10am on Saturday 18 May to 5pm Monday 27 May 2019.

The full catalogue can also be viewed nearer the date online at: www.beckstonesartgallery.co.uk We regret that paintings cannot be held on reserve for approval.

Paintings can be collected after the exhibition ends (28 May onwards). Worldwide delivery can be arranged if required at additional cost subject to quotation.

Beckstones Art Gallery Greystoke Ghyll, Nr. Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0UQ Tel: 01768 483601

www.beckstonesartgallery.co.uk Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm every day Tennant Design – www.tennantdesign.co.uk