MAJOR ART EXHIBITION TO BE STAGED AT CHESHIRE GALLERY

With Christmas just around the corner, and thoughts turning to the perfect gift for a loved one, a Chester-based art gallery is inviting art lovers to view unique works of art as it launches its Autumn Exhibition which will feature works by both local and nationally acclaimed artists.

The exhibition at Gorstella Gallery at Tudor Farm in Dodleston near Chester will host art work by several artists, including for the first time, paintings by Chester based professional wildlife artist Claire Shaughnessy who specialises in birds and animal subjects.

Nestled in the village of Dodleston on the outskirts of Chester and close to the border with North Wales, Gorstella Gallery was founded in 1990 by Peter and Klaizen Bullivant before being taken over by their Daughter Bridget Kimber in 2004.

Other artists featured include Lesley Dearn, Kate Evans, Denise Heywood, Andrew Hood, Sian McGill, Richard Spare and Giles Ward. The exhibition will open with a drinks reception on Thursday 3^rd November and Friday 4^th November from 6.30pm until 9pm. Following the launch, the gallery will be open on Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th, Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th November between 11am and 5.00pm All paintings featured in the exhibition will be available for purchase. 

Porthcawl based artist Lesley Dearn's paintings capture the energy and mystery of the Welsh landscape with Lesley spending much of her time walking the coast, painting and sketching, absorbing the changing moods before returning to her studio to explore and experiment and to find a visual vocabulary to match the qualities of the sea, sky and land. Lesley is delighted to be exhibiting at Gorstella for the first time.

Returning for her third exhibition at the intimate gallery space, Bristol based artist Kate Evans uses delicate line drawings and watercolour washes set against large areas of negative space to produce images that reflect the richness of their subject matter.

Shropshire based artist Denise Heywood first exhibited at Gorstella Gallery in November 2019 and she has been very popular with the gallery's clients ever since. Her aim in painting is to convey the beauty and mystery which lies at the heart of nature. Her subjects are found in her garden and the fields and lanes near her Shropshire home. She paints layering many washes of watercolour, refining details with small sable brushes to portray the jewel like quality of her subjects.

Others artists also returning to the gallery include award winning artist Andrew Hood who won the Gorstella Award for Fine Art and the Liverpool Life Painting Open. Upon graduating, Andrew was asked to participate in a group show at Gorstella Gallery and has exhibited very successfully on numerous occasions since. 

Based in Swansea, Sian McGill first exhibited very successfully in a mixed show at the gallery in November 2021. Much of Sian’s inspiration comes from the places where she loves to spend time, outdoors enjoying the coastline and mountains of Wales.

The gallery is also delighted to welcome back internationally acclaimed artist and printmaker Richard Spare. After studying painting at Maidstone College of Art in the 1970s, Richard embarked on a career that has seen him edition work for a number of leading contemporary artists including David Hockney. He has exhibited his own work internationally and has often displayed work in the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition over many years.

The November exhibition will also feature work by mixed medium artist Giles Ward. Giles is a leading sea life and natural world artist based in Bristol, England.

Working pre-dominantly in oils his canvases take on other-worldly textures with the addition of acrylics, inks, spray paint, varnishes and anything else he can lay his hands on. He is inspired by the natural world and examines the hidden worlds of colour and texture found in nature’s close- up detail.

Nestled in the village of Dodleston on the outskirts of Chester and close to the border with North Wales, Gorstella Gallery was founded in 1990 by Peter and Klaizen Bullivant before being taken over by their Daughter Bridget Kimber in 2004. 

Speaking about staging the exhibition, Bridget said "We are delighted to be holding our November exhibition once again this year and we are pleased to be able to showcase the work of a number of different artists and different mediums in our intimate gallery space. We are very much looking forward to seeing existing clients at our viewings and to also welcoming those who haven't visited us before. Whether you're looking to buy a unique piece of art as a gift for a loved one or to simply brighten up your home, do come and see us and we'll be happy to guide you through the art works on display at the exhibition".

Full details about the November exhibition at Gorstella Gallery and the exhibiting artists can be found at: 

www.gorstellagallery.co.uk

Pictured - A beautiful study in oils of a Tuscan village by artist Andrew Hood.