9 minute read
ARTS & CULTURE
GOOD READ
New Year resolutions often involve change. Lauren Molyneux reviews a book that helps the reader put change into practice and reinforces self-belief
The Happiness Recipe
Rebecca C Morrison
‘We are born to be happy. Somewhere along the way, our lives get cluttered.’ Rebecca C Morrison’s view on happiness is quite simple on the face of things – spend more time doing the things you enjoy, the things that truly make you happy and bring you fulfilment, and less time on the rest. If your initial reaction is that that’s all well and good, but easier said than done, you’re exactly where I was when I first picked up this book. Having previously worked for a large litigation firm in the US, being forced to balance 20-hour days with being a mother and a wife, Rebecca C Morrison has plenty of experience with feeling overwhelmed. After recognising that the path she had taken in life had almost been decided for her, with her career choices dictated by the ‘shoulds’ and ‘have-tos’ of other people’s expectations, she decided to take action, addressing each aspect of her life to determine which was most important to her. And once she’d identified her core priority and the gaps which were preventing her from spending her valuable time, energy and resources on it, the initial ideas for The Happiness Recipe began to form. This book is for the overachiever, the worrier, the person who has reached a crossroads in their life and isn’t quite sure which way to go, or even which way is up. It’s for those on the brink of a new season in their life, for those who find themselves constantly wondering if they’re doing enough, for those who find themselves defined by what they do, for those who look to do more so that they can be more. It’s for those who let perfectionism take the driving seat in any project they’re working on and for those being pulled in several different directions. It’s for those needing to refocus their priorities in life, for those stuck in a cycle of overworking and burnouts, for those who feel true happiness has, for the most part, eluded them. Rebecca C Morrison offers a handy little toolkit for acknowledging and engaging with anxiety, guilt and any other tricky emotions you may have been facing, providing pragmatic solutions to help you regather, refocus, review and refine your outlook. Drawing upon her experience as a litigator, mother, daughter, wife, and life coach, Morrison provides practical advice, often linked with case studies involving her own clients, which are frighteningly relatable, to implement a process which can broadly be broken down into three core parts. Firstly, her guide focuses on helping you to identify the aspects of your life which matter most to you – not as straightforward a task as it first appears. Secondly, she aims to help with recognising the habits, people and responsibilities that have been preventing you from spending your time and energy on the things that matter. And thirdly, she provides practical tools to help with reinforcing the belief in yourself that your goal – whether that’s to achieve a promotion at work, find more time for creativity, get fitter, or be a more present parent – is achievable. The Happiness Recipe does not provide all of the answers, nor does it claim to, but I have found it to be a valuable read – one which provides the training wheels, helping you to put into practice new processes, which will lead to more priorityaligned living.
NEW DIMENSION
It is now over six months since Nick Smith took over Longridge Gallery. Live Ribble Valley caught up with him to look back on 2021 and discuss future plans
W“ e would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and other local businesses for their support in 2021, the welcome we have received has been phenomenal. This has underlined to us the relevance of the gallery to the community,” says Nick Smith of Longridge Gallery.
“The most rewarding part of taking over Longridge Gallery has been the opportunity to meet local people, hear their stories, frame treasured memories and source the perfect piece of art that puts a smile on peoples’ faces. It is incredible to hear feedback from customers that we have been able to be part of making their house a home,” explains Nick.
The gallery has enjoyed introducing a number of new artists over the past 12 months. Craig Foord’s mesmerising abstract work, Chuck’s distinctive way of incorporating metallic foils and traditional patterns, Scott Tetlow’s classical drawing themes with a contemporary twist, Michael Simpson’s versatile and technically excellent bronze sculptures and Anthony Platt’s stunning local scenes, have all added a new and interesting dimension to the collections.
The core of the gallery’s business has remained the same since Nick has taken over: “We still offer high quality bespoke framing, art restoration, needlework stretching as well as sourced and commissioned artwork that has kept the gallery a mainstay of Berry Lane for over 35 years.
“Our aim over the next year is to continue to support our loyal customers with favourite artists in addition to diversifying our art selection to ensure that we really are a gallery that appeals to all. Keep an eye on our social media for updates of new artists and works that we will be bringing into the gallery,” concludes Nick. n
Longridge Gallery 78 Berry Lane, Longridge Preston PR3 3WH 01772 782006 info@longridgegallery.co.uk longridgegallery.co.uk
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I will start with a pink wash which sometimes I allow to come through into the final painting.
“I think I have become much more confident in what I do and in my style of painting – it feels like I am not trying too hard. I’ve also learnt not to over-work a painting. It’s important to know when to stop, when a painting is finished or if it needs more.
“I have realised paintings sometimes don’t need a high level of detail to capture a scene or emotion. It’s often better to keep it simple – I sometimes take a step back and leave a painting and return to it the next day.”
A keen walker and a runner with Ribble Valley-based Running4CF, Anthony often takes photographs when he is out walking or running, to find inspiration.
“I love the landscapes of the Ribble Valley, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Pendle Hill has also been a big influence on my work, along with the Forest of Bowland – the colours of the trees are stunning.”
TOTAL TRANSFORMATION
A keen runner and fell walker, artist Anthony Platt has developed a distinctive style, finding inspiration in the rural landscapes of the Ribble Valley, Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales
For Anthony Platt the past 18 months has seen him evolve as an artist – he used his time during lockdown to develop a style that has gone on to win awards and seen him appear on TV as a ‘wildcard’ artist on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.
While he has always loved to paint as a hobby, his new ‘painterly’ style of working is proving popular with art enthusiasts and he is now selling his vibrant landscapes at local galleries.
“My style has evolved – it is much looser using the brush strokes to capture what I see. My main inspiration comes from the stunning landscapes of the Ribble Valley. I use broad brushstrokes and colour to capture a moment in time and the feelings I have when inspired to paint a particular scene. It is quite an emotional experience,” explains Anthony, who uses oils on board.
“I use a limited palette of vibrant colours.
After leaving St Augustine’s School in Billington, Anthony went on to complete a one-year foundation course in art and design and a degree in illustration at UCLan.
Moving to Whalley, four years ago, Anthony, made a conscious decision to work on his style during lockdown: “I thought, ‘this is the time’. I no longer had the commute to Manchester every day with my work. By the time I got home, it didn’t leave me any time for painting.
“Like everyone else, it was an anxious time, but it was also very productive. I started running every day and when I started to paint, there was no pressure. The timing was perfect.”
Anthony began to paint prolifically, producing work that was totally different to his previous paintings.
“Twenty years ago, I would paint what I would describe as industrial landscapes in acrylic and mixed medium. My style changed frequently,” adds Anthony, who has completed marathons and half marathons, as well as a
70-mile Hadrian’s Wall run.
Gaining confidence in his painting, he applied to appear on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year, hosted by Frank Skinner – he has since appeared on the programme, which is filmed at various locations and features both amateur and professional artists: “One was filmed at Fountains Abbey and the last time in Gateshead. We were expected to paint ‘en plein air’ so I was out of my comfort zone. The weather played a big part when filming – on one occasion it was windy and raining so it became quite a challenge.
“When you’re competing you’re always tempted to see what other artists are doing – it really does put you under pressure and can be quite intimidating, but I learnt such a lot. It was good to see the way other artists work and their different styles.”
After successfully appearing on the programme, Anthony felt he had the confidence to enter local competitions including Create Longridge, during which he produced a scene from Jeffrey Hill looking out over Parlick – his painting sold straight away.
In June this year he entered Paint the Town Blackburn painting a scene near the Town Hall of an elderly lady wearing a mask, reflective of the times we are living in. His painting came second: “I was really surprised,” recalls Anthony, who went on to take Paint Padiham’s first prize in September with ‘A Glimpse of Gawthorpe’.
Anthony, who volunteers as a Mencap mentor, now exhibits his work in Longridge Gallery.
“The work I put in over lockdown has really paid off. I really pushed myself and things have taken off recently – people really seem to like what I do.” n
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