Cath Ray Gallery and Studios (58 Bridgegate, Retford DN22 7UZ) is proud to present Here and There – a wonderful new exhibition of paintings from artist Paul Straker, open from Saturday 6th July to Saturday 31st August.
The title of Paul Straker’s new exhibition comes from the 1966 Beatles song, ‘Here, There, and Everywhere’. As an eight-year-old boy at the time of its release, Paul had dreams of a creative life, but didn’t really have the chance to make those dreams a reality until ill health and retirement combined.
Paul was at last free to reignite the spark and like his childhood heroes Constable, Turner and the Impressionists, he focused on the outdoors and the challenge of capturing the light and atmosphere of both urban and rural landscapes. He became a member of an Urban Sketching group in Yorkshire and dabbled in attending workshops and studied the paintings of contemporary artists like Lucien Freud and the Northern Boys, gradually developing his fresh, loose style and extending his range of media to include oils, pastels, watercolour, inks, and printing.
All this new-found joy of observing and creativity almost came to an abrupt halt when Paul’s sight became a major issue: “A vigilant optician and a super surgeon in Sheffield saved my lost vision,” he explained, “and bright colours became clear, front, and centre.” This led to some large, bold and vivid soft pastel paintings, an example of which is in the exhibition.
Here and There includes local landscapes and urban scenes, works from his recent trip to Venice, figures, and large expressive seascapes. Also available will be some of Paul’s sketchbooks, where on show is the magic of going out and painting ‘plein air’ where you can see the evidence of the cold, rain, sunshine and breeze in every mark on the page.
Paul is now a full-time artist, living in Misterton. He has a large studio at Retford Arts Hub and is an active member of Retford Art Society (and current Chairperson). He has dedicated his later life to breaking down barriers and de-mystifying art. He is often seen painting out and about in Retford and will host a ‘plein air’ painting session during the exhibition.
Please contact the gallery for details or keep an eye on Paul’s social media.
Cath Ray Gallery opens 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Saturday (closing at 2.00pm on Tuesdays). For more information contact Cath at raybooks@msn.com or on 07803 204424.