MARK PRESTON Solo Exhibition 2020

Mark Preston

Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Solo Exhibition

19 SEPTEMBER - 11 OCTOBER 2020

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 19 September – 11 October 2020

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020 We are pleased to be showing Mark Preston’s exhibition of 35 new paintings. He is a highly acclaimed Derbyshire artist and his work is exhibited nationally. He says about his solo exhibition at gallerytop: ‘I have selected the paintings in this exhibition from work I have done over the last two years from various painting trips to Cornwall, the Lake District but mainly from my home county of Derbyshire.

Although these trips are usually planned in advance, I have often no definite plan in mind when heading out with blank canvases in search of a subject. I find it interesting not knowing what the day will bring, but nature always surprises. For me, its the being there, working all day in the open air and experiencing first-hand the weather, light and colour specific to the different seasons that fascinates me. I hope I have brought something of these experiences and places to my paintings. I have always liked to return to these familiar locations, knowing that I will always come across something new. This might be a light effect, weather conditions or simply the changing flora. I am always interested in the fact by sitting in the same place and observing nature's variations, there is always potential to produce a totally different painting.

Many artists have influenced me and I have always made regular visits to galleries to view their work and collected books about them. Three artists I particularly admire are Constable, Van Gogh and Joan Eardley, all plein air painters whose love of nature has inspired me. I feel they all achieved a perfect balance in their work with a wonderful painterly impasto and quite abstract application of paint, but retaining a great sense and understanding of the subject. This is something I have always strived to achieve.’

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

‘I am interested in trying to convey the subtle qualities of colour, atmosphere or light that say a certain time of day or season or weather condition. Painting en plein air allows me to observe these elements first hand…’

Although people might imagine an idyllic concept of plein air painting and often comment that it “must be very therapeutic”, often the opposite is true. The challenge to adapt and improvise in different, changing conditions can be frustrating but it keeps me focussed and stops me getting too comfortable or predictable. Hopefully it gives the work more immediacy and the emotions I feel at the time can go directly into the work.

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

My connection with the Peak District was formed from an early age walking with my father Rex and artist friend Wilfred Ball; their enthusiasm and love of the landscape rubbed off on me. The variety and contrasts within Derbyshire’s extraordinary landscape is enough for a lifetime’s painting, the only thing I feel compelled to travel further afield to paint is the sea.’

‘The variety and contrasts within Derbyshire’s extraordinary landscape is enough for a lifetime’s painting…’ gallerytop.co.uk

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

August Meadow, Ashleyhay 40cm x 35cm

April Light, Alport Village 30cm x 30cm

‘I think painting is a process of not just looking but learning to see and for me it must be first hand, working directly from nature…’ gallerytop.co.uk

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Blue Reflections, Derwent Edge 76cm x 51cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Bluebells and Ramsons 25cm x 25cm

Approaching Storm, Beeley Moor 35cm x 25cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Bright Light and Squalls, Crummock Water 76cm x 61cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Buttercups and Blossom, Bonsall Moor 61cm x 30cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Calm Reflections, Blea Tarn 51cm x 35cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Early Autumn Sun, Fairbrook 40cm x 35cm

Clear September Day, Fairbrook 40cm x 35cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Daffodils along the River Lathkill 91cm x 46cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Evening Glow, Taylor Gill Force 35cm x 30cm

Evening Light, Bonsall Moor 25cm x 25cm

For me, it’s the being there, working all day in the open air and experiencing first-hand the weather, light and colour‌

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Into the Light, Mount’s Bay 40cm x 30cm

Golden Reflections, Miller’s Dale 40cm x 40cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Lone Hawthorn, Hollinsclough 76cm x 61cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

August Afternoon, Stanage Edge 76cm x 51cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Autumn Hawthorn, Pilsbury 61cm x 61cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Autumn Morning, Gunhills 51cm x 51cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Autumn Sunlight, Great Gable 46cm x 35cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Seedheads, Towards Land’s End 25cm x 20cm

May Evening, Treen Cliffs 35cm x 25cm

I am always interested in the fact by sitting in the same place and observing nature's variations, there is always potential to produce a totally different painting‌

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

May Blossom and Gorse, Alport Height 76cm x 76cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

September Evening, Derwent Edge 61cm x 30cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

September Willowherb, Ashleyhay 61cm x 61cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Spring Reflections, Alport Village 40cm x 40cm

Springtime, Alport Height 40cm x 40cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Spring Woodland 91cm x 46cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Springtime, Malinscommon Lane 61cm x 61cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Sunlit Bilberry, Baslow Edge 40cm x 35cm

Sunlit Lane, Ashleyhay 40cm x 40cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Sunlit Foxgloves, Bamford Moor 76cm x 76cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

The Salt Cellar, Derwent Edge 30cm x 25cm

Sunlit Sea and Daffodils 30cm x 30cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

Windswept Silver Birches, Froggatt Edge 76cm x 61cm

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Mark Preston Solo Exhibition 2020

We are pleased to be able to offer our customers the Arts Council Own Art scheme. Own Art is a national initiative that makes buying contemporary art and craft affordable by letting you spread the cost of your purchase over 10 months with an interest free loan of up to £2500. The loan can go towards the payment of a piece of art that costs between £100 and £2500 or can be part payment for a more expensive piece

The gallery is open six days a week, from Tuesday until Sunday from 10.00 until 5.00

Making an online Own Art application is straightforward and you complete it in the privacy of your home in your own time.

All the paintings, with dimensions, price and additional images are on our website at www.gallerytop.co.uk

For more information about the gallery, exhibitions and artists news, sign up to our mailing list at www.gallerytop.co.uk If you would like more information about any of the paintings in this catalogue, please call us on 01629 735580 or e-mail us at info@gallerytop.co.uk

gallerytop, Chatsworth Road, Rowsley, Matlock, DE4 2EH

01629 735580 info@gallerytop.co.uk 32 www.gallerytop.co.uk

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