10 - 26 May 2025
Alan Thompson
Welcome to my tenth exhibition at Beckstones Art Gallery. I calculate that probably somewhere in the region of five hundred of my paintings have passed through their doors in the last twenty years! (Who knows where the time goes). What an honour and privilege it is to be a painter, and to live surrounded by the most amazing subject matter. Cumbria continues to enchant and stimulate me, with its wealth of favourite places and subjects. As I walk the hills and valleys and riverbanks I sometimes think I’ve barely begun to explore its potential, there are subjects for paintings everywhere I turn. So here are forty new ones, some of familiar subjects and places, some of newly discovered areas, some small, some larger than usual. I try to resist the desire to do huge things, although I often feel landscape cries out to be painted on a monumental scale, but again that is the wonder of the Lake District, it can be viewed as monumental, or infinitely intimate, a rare fungus or lichen on a rock or butterfly or orchid or a vast panorama from a high fell, these are all inspirational and painterly and the reason I live in such a beautiful and stimulating place. Many thanks for looking and thanks once again to Niki and Karen for putting the exhibition together.
As the years roll on and we all get a little older, our Spring exhibition is always the focal point where we like to set the tone and raise the bar for the year ahead. This year is no exception and Alan Thompson, our featured artist, has presented us with a collection of beautiful landscape paintings which we are very eager to share with you.
Beckstones has worked closely with Alan for more than 40 years and it would be hard to imagine our walls without his work, he is very much the cornerstone of our gallery and, back in the eighties, Alan’s landscapes set a new standard here that put Beckstones firmly on the map both with artists and customers alike. We are incredibly grateful for his contribution and loyalty over the years and couldn’t be prouder to launch his latest exhibition featuring 45 new oil paintings.
Painting entirely in oils, usually on board, Alan’s work is finely detailed and beautifully composed. Yet there is a magical ingredient that sets his work apart no matter what season or time of day is depicted, and that is the way he is able to bring light into a painting, glinting on the surface of a river, bursting through the storm clouds, glistening on snow, the golden glow of a sunset or sunrise... breathtakingly beautiful.
Born in 1953 near Penrith, Alan 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.
Now in his seventies, Alan lives with his wife Kathryn on the edge of the Lake District in the beautiful Eden Valley. When not busy with his ever-growing family, his days are filled with walking, painting or relaxing, always appreciating the beauty in all that surrounds him.
1. Evening calm, River Eden, near Langwathby 61 x 103 cm
2. The Derwent Fells from Newlands Valley 23 x 50 cm
3. Light snow, Silver Point and High Street from Ullswater 19 x 25 cm
4. Sunburst over the Ullswater fells from Kirkland, Pennines 21 x 25 cm
6. Bright day, Rydal from Loughrigg Fell
28 x 47 cm
5. Distant showers, Latrigg and Derwentwater
29 x 43 cm
7. Autumn, Langstrath Beck, Borrowdale 26 x 28 cm
8. Snow-capped Helvellyn from Hartsop How 22 x 31 cm
9. Above Easedale Tarn
24 x 26 cm
10. Crisp day, Blencathra from Troutbeck
23 x 27 cm
11. Shades of autumn, Grasmere 31 x 64 cm
12. Dappled light, bluebells and birch trees 35 x 41 cm
13. Sunlight on Rosthwaite and the Borrowdale Valley 27 x 37 cm
14. Waterfalls, Langstrath Beck 22 x 34 cm
15. Summer, Dovedale from Sykeside 25 x 30 cm
16. Autumn lane, Langstrath, Borrowdale
16 x 24 cm
17. Elterwater tranquility
20 x 22 cm
18. Heavy snowfall on a hawthorn bank 61 x 86 cm
19. Waterlillies and reeds
18 x 20 cm
20. Summer afternoon, Hoff Beck near Appleby 29 x 27 cm
21. Wildflower meadow 39 x 64 cm
22. Brotherswater towards Lingy Crag 23 x 28 cm
23. Winter’s day, Rosthwaite, Borrowdale 20 x 47 cm
24. Sunset on the River Eden 18 x 27 cm
25. Sycamore tree, Dovedale 16 x 24 cm
26. Winter snow, Angle Tarn, Patterdale 30 x 60 cm
27. Misty light, Derwentwater towards Borrowdale
27 x 31 cm
28. Goosanders on Easedale Tarn 24 x 59 cm
29. Oak tree, snowy shadows
28 x 42 cm
30. Pasture Beck between Grey Crag and Hartsop Dodd
28 x 36 cm
32. Bluebells, Flakebridge Woods, Eden Valley 25 x 32 cm
31. Winter reflections, River Brathay near Elterwater 36 x 26 cm
33. Stormy skies, Blea Tarn from the Langdale Pikes
39 x 53 cm
34. Wildflowers by the River Eden 32 x 51 cm
35. Bullfinches and apple blossom
37 x 46 cm
36. Lingcove Bridge, Eskdale 28 x 35 cm
37. Stormy sky and oak tree 19 x 19 cm
38. Hazy day, Windermere from Orrest Head 19 x 28 cm
39. Marsh marigolds
21 x 28 cm
40. Spring lambs, Great Langdale 19 x 26 cm
41. Golden glow, the River Eden towards Lazonby 27 x 40 cm
42. Reflections on Brotherswater towards Hartsop 23 x 28 cm
44. High summer, Hoff Beck near Appleby 16 x 21 cm
43. Misty morning and mallards, Ullswater 16 x 25 cm
45. Snowy sunrise River Brathay 23 x 32 cm
how
TO PURCHASE
The 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 Saturday 10 May to 4.30pm Monday 26 May 2025.
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 Art Gallery · Greystoke Ghyll, Nr. Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0UQ · Tel: 01768 483601
beckstonesartgallery.co.uk