The unpredictable South Pennine weather is a major influence of the work of Sheila Dewsbury, writes Barbara Waite
The South Pennine landscape of rugged moorland and valleys is a major inspiration for the vibrant paintings of Sheila Dewsbury.
Living in Saddleworth she captures the ever-changing light and weather conditions on her doorstep, painting directly from the subject when it is practical or from photos and sketches. Her aim, she says, is to explore the underlying structure of the subject – be it landscape or figure - when the form is accentuated by light.
The oil painting of Dovestone reservoir pictured here is a favourite subject. She explains: ‘It is about a mile from my home and the light on the hills and water constantly changes. You have to work quickly to capture what you can.
‘Easter heralds the start of the season for the local sailing club, and the first yacht races are a welcome sight. The painting was started on site and finished in the studio.’
Educated in Manchester, she taught in comprehensive and further education before retiring to paint full-time preferably in oils which she enjoys for its malleable properties. She is a founder member of the New Manchester Group of seven established artists who exhibit in and around the city centre.
Sheila is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a council member of Manchester Academy of Fine Arts and has exhibited in London at the Royal Academy Summer Show, and the Royal Institute of Oil Painters.
Her work has been selected for mixed exhibitions in Preston, Bury, Salford and Oldham public art galleries, plus the Chapel Gallery, Ormskirk, and the Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, and are held in private collections in London, Spain, Holland, Australia, Canada and America.
You can see her work in the Colin Jellicoe Gallery, Manchester and the Millyard Gallery, Uppermill, Saddleworth; at an exhibition in the Portico Library and Gallery in Manchester city centre this month followed by a shared exhibition with the Royal Cambrian Academy in Conwy, North Wales in May. For more details visit www.sheiladewsbury.com - her prices range from £300 to £600.
