Artists

M J Forster

Born in Oxford in 1975, MJ Forster is an established name in British landscape painting. He studied at Newcastle College of Art and Design, before embarking on a Science degree. Painting and drawing remained at the core of his activity and upon graduation he quickly resumed his artistic career.

Over a period of two years he lived, worked and exhibited his...

David Brightmore

Originally from South Yorkshire, David studied Business Management in Cardiff and Fine Art in Sheffield. Having lived in the Snowdonia village of Rhyd-Ddu from 1985 until 2004, he learned the Welsh language and possesses a close affinity with life in Wales. With a passion for the outdoors David has run and walked through most of the Welsh mountains and hills and...

Judith Donaghy

A former textile designer, Judith transferred her practice to painting some years ago. Working in oils she builds up layers and scrapes at the surface to create intriguing interpretations of her surroundings.
Judith has exhibited widely around the region in both group and solo exhibitions.

"Painting is, for me, an instinctive process although direct...

Caroline McManus

Since completing her painting degree at Cheltenham in 1996, Caroline has developed her style of using bold colours and confident brush strokes. Getting her inspiration from local people and places, concentrating mainly on portraits and landscapes.

"My most recent work is a series of portrait paintings, inspired by cows. Their shy curiosity and awkward amblings...

Michael Ashcroft

Born in 1969, Michael John Ashcroft grew up in a small picturesque village called Croston in the heart of Lancashire. From an early age he had a keen interest in art and can fondly remember watching other artists paint pictures of the famous Church Street. After leaving school in 1985 with top grades in art he began his career as an engineer, painting and...

Lisa Denyer

In 2009, Lisa graduated from Coventry University with a Fine Art Degree. She is now based in Manchester and has exhibited extensively in the North West and in London. Lisa specialises in contemporary landscape and abstract painting.

"My practice evolved from the idea of escapism; from everyday life into the natural world. It now centres around transformed...

Tessa Houghton

Tessa paints a serene experience, the landscapes she interprets appear unearthly and exquisite. Taking inspiration from her surroundings of the Catalonian coast, the Pyrenees and conversely the moorlands of northern England, the delicacy of her work unites each subject.
Oil paint, occasionally acrylics and other mediums are applied in a variety of methods so that...

Alan Knight

Born in Swinton in 1949 Alan spent much of his life as a professional musician before starting to paint in the early 80s. His style has developed from earlier more abstract pieces into land and seascapes. He now works with a pallet knife and generous amounts of oil paint.
Alan works relatively quickly and with confidence that’s he has gained through the years. ...

Emily Mugridge

Emily trained at University College Falmouth and and exhibited in Cornwall for several years before returning to where she was brought up in Bollington Cheshire. She is a lecturer as well as a painter and divides her time depending on exhibitions.

"My paintings are not meant to be completely representational - more a record of how it feels to be somewhere at a...

Christopher Paris

Christopher was born into a theatrical family, and early influences came from a heady mix of props, lighting, rehearsal rooms, amazing puppetry, art galleries, sculpture and art festivals in the park.

On Leaving school he completed one of the first DATEC courses, which was a two year foundation course. Having the learnt most artistic disciplines Chris then went...

Richard Stinton

Richard has been drawing and painting as long as he can remember. He studied at art school, then trained and works as a graphic designer. He aims now to give more of his time to doing what he loves most, painting.

Working in oils he paints landscapes both rural and urban settings, gaining inspiration from his local environment, often literally on his...