Mark Preston Exhibition 2017

Mark Preston Exhibition

Born in Derby in 1976, Mark Preston grew up surrounded by paintings and painters. After gaining a distinction in art and design, he went on to study illustration at Anglia University, Cambridge. However, it was painting trips with his father Rex and fellow artist Wilfred Ball that really inspired him to become a landscape painter.

Mark paints in acrylics and works both from his studio and regularly outside in the elements.

Talking about his passion for plein air painting Mark says: “For me, experiencing the landscape and elements directly is essential to attempt to capture them in paint. I just need to be there to respond to the situation and the spirit of the landscape�.This direct approach of working from nature, allows Mark time to observe and experience the subtle changes in colour, light and atmosphere, whilst enabling him to build up an understanding and awareness of the places he paints. Painting outside means that he has been buffeted by gales, frozen and soaked.

2017 represents Mark’s 20th year as a professional artist. Working from nature he has painted some locations again and again, finding the subject reveals more of itself to him each time he returns. It is this familiarity which allows him to work more instinctively, with freedom and in doing so capture the essence of a place. It is only then that he feels he truly gets to know a subject.

This latest show is the result of nearly two years where Mark has immersed himself in the landscapes Cornwall, Derbyshire and the Lake District. His undoubted talent has successfully captured the changing seasons and the weather effect in 35 new paintings.

Cover Image - Sunlight After the Rain, St. Just (detail) - 14 x 16 inches

Mark Preston Exhibition 21 May – 4 June 2017

All work is for sale on receipt of this brochure Open every day from 10 am.

All works are acrylic on canvas

Snow covered Track, Hartington 12 x 24 inches

Mayblossom, Alport Height 30 x 36 inches

Sunlight on Great Gable 8 x 10 inches 5.

Shifting Light, Crummock Water 16 x 20 inches

6.

November Snow, Malinscommon Lane 12 x 14 inches

Cotton Grass, Hallam Moors 24 x 30 inches

7.

Evening Light, Ashleyhay 12 x 12 inches

October Twilight, Ashleyhay 10 x 12 inches

October Morning, Crummock Water 40 x 50 inches 8.

Blackthorn and Daffodils, Ashleyhay 12 x 12 inches Sunlit Oak, Rookery Farm Lane 20 x 20 inches

10.

Bluebells, Bramley Wood 14 x 12 inches

Sunlit River, Dovedale 16 x 16 inches

11.

Late Summer, Froggatt Edge 30 x 36 inches

Poppies and Blue Sky, Ednaston 8 x 16 inches

September Evening, Carnyorth 8 x 10 inches 13.

Early Autumn Sun, Crummock Water 18 x 24 inches

14.

Autumn Reflections , River Wye 12 x 10 inches

Sunlit Lane, Wirksworth 12 x 10 inches

15.

June Evening, Rosewall Hill 20 x 20 inches

16.

May Evening, Portheras 16 x 20 inches

Red Hawthorn, Alport Height 30 x 30 inches

Marram Grasses, Sennen Cove 24 x 24 inches

18.

Frosty November Morning, Wirksworth 20 x 18 inches

Still October Day, Crummock Water 18 x 24 inches

19.

Spring Mist, Portheras 30 x 30 inches

Winter Sunlight towards Longships Lighthouse 8 x 10 inches

Spring Evening, Clodgy Point 16 x 20 inches

Evening Reflections, Stanage Edge 10 x 12 inches 21.

Long Shadows, Gorsey Bank 8 x 10 inches

22.

Sunshine and Showers, Melbreak 10 x 8 inches

Sunlit Sea beyond Cape Cornwall 8 x 10 inches

Rosebay Willowherb, Curbar Gap 24 x 24 inches

23.

Calm Reflections, Wastwater 12 x 24 inches

Red Rag Gallery Church Street Stow on the Wold Gloucestershire GL54 1BB t: 01451 832563 e: mail@redraggallery.co.uk www.redraggallery.co.uk