lots to look forward to this new year...

thewhitegallery is busy planning exhibitions and events for the coming year, including two solo exhibitions this spring and a summer garden party which will extend throughout the month of July. Treats will include lots of outdoor sculpture and several artists in residence, who will paint and demonstrate their skills in the summer house - prepare to be dazzled.

EMILY MUGRIDGE: SAT 26 MARCH - SAT 9 APRIL
Nosey Old Cow, by Emily Mugridge

A solo show by Bollington 'artist to the stars', Emily Mugridge, who is known affectionately as the cow lady! Several of her bovine beauties now grace the nursery walls belonging to BBC Radio 2 DJ, Chris Evans no less. Don't miss this opportunity to view a brand new collection of work by one of the North West's most up and coming artists. Oh, and Emily paints beautiful landscapes & cityscapes too, so they'll be plenty to choose from.

RALPH McGAUL: SAT 7 MAY - SAT 21 MAY





















'The Walk Home' by Ralph McGaul

Local artist Ralph McGaul presents a series of new paintings, created in his studio in Macclesfield. Another rising star, Ralph's mainly figurative work is primitive in style and visceral in nature - you can't help but be effected by the energy of his work, punching out from the canvas. Ralph also produces striking woodcuts which will be on show and available for sale.

'The Old Couple' woodcut by Ralph McGaul

Work by both artists is extremely popular, so to avoid disappointment please make sure you put these dates in your new 2011 diary.

It's also worth noting that thewhitegallery will be sponsoring and taking part in this year's Macclesfield Barnaby Festival, which runs from the 17-19 June 2011. For more information, please visit www.barnabyfestival.org.uk over the coming months...

a winter welcome to artist debbie goldsmith...

thewhitegallery is delighted to be hanging some beautiful work by artist Debbie Goldsmith













Debbie's use of sumptuous colours (especially blues and oranges) make her canvases fizz with energy and life: looking at one of her pictures makes my tummy go funny. There is something quite visceral about the marks she makes, and the confidence with which she places the image on the canvas. Abstract landscapes have depth and movement, cityscapes reveal buildings and figures comfortably inhabiting the impressionistic space.














Debbie Goldsmith is an established artist who has exhibited nationally and internationally, most notably with the British Council in Sao Paulo, Brazil. hHr work recently featured in the book, 'A Colourful Canvas - Twelve Women Artists in the North West', which accompanied a group exhibition at St Peter's House in Manchester.

Debbie has also worked on numerous commissions for both private and public collections including Manchester Art Gallery, Rocco Forte for the Lowry Hotel and St David's Bay Hotel, Manchester Airport and Castlefield Gallery.

new limited edition prints by dean entwistle

'bollington autumn', by dean entwistle

just in time for christmas, a beautiful new print of bollington incorporating many of the village's iconic landmarks such as adelphi mill, waterhouse surgery, blaze hill and the canal. you might even spot your own house if you look closely...

artist dean entwistle painted the original watercolour several years ago and it has now been made into a limited edition print for others to enjoy.

printed and framed in bollington, the picture costs £350. demand is expected to be high, so please order soon to avoid disappointment.

other new prints include a moonscape of shuttlingsloe and a nightscape of kerridge ridge, with white nancy illuminated against the sky.

'nightscape of shuttlingsloe' by dean enwistle

'kerridge ridge II' by dean entwistle

all things white and beautiful...

I love this time of year, with the dark nights and the air cold enough to bite. Here at thewhitegallery we're preparing for christmas, bringing together lots of new and original gift ideas so that customers have as much choice as possible.

Works on paper by Chloe Holt

You might like to treat yourself or some one you love to a piece of affordable, original art. We have several new artists showing at the gallery, including Scottish painter, Mary Tully and Chester-based artist Chloe Holt, whose work was exhibited at the Florence Biennale in 2009 alongside headlining artist Marina Abramovic. Chloe has been awarded the International 'Lorenzo il Magnifico' prize for her works on paper.

Or perhaps you have a teenage daughter or neice who loves to doodle, in which case you might like to see our new journals, with re-usable covers made out of vintage silk scarfs by local artist and maker, Heather Penn.













Quality journals, with covers made out of silk scarves. Replace the journal, reuse the scarf!

Women of any age will love new work by Manchester-based artist Lily Greenwood, who hand-paints beetles, bugs and butterflies which she then incorporates into delicate collage on canvas.

Or perhaps you know someone who might appreciate work by Derbyshire printmaker, Sue Vanderplank, who delivered some wonderful new screen prints (both framed and unframed) to suit everyone's pocket.

We also have some handmade textile pictures designed by Jilly Duffy Unwin that would appeal to anyone, which depict the iconic White Nancy as a christmas pudding!

Ho, ho, ho...

new work for the winter...

'Memories' by Karen Wise



















This beautiful painting by Karen Wise is just one of the treats in store for visitors to thewhitegallery this winter.

Prestbury artist Karen recently received an award of merit for another painting on show at Stockport Art Gallery, and has successfully exhibited her work in galleries and exhibitions through out the region. Not so long ago, she was also in line for a Daily Mail 'Not the Turner Prize' award.

Karen has honed her skills over the years working as a designer and training with a top sculpture artist in Manchester. You can see more of her work here at thewhitegallery and at Stockport Art Gallery until November 28th.

'Pomegranate' by Andrew Parker

More new work from another talented artist, Andrew Parker, who has his studio in Vernon Mill in Stockport and is best known for his portrait work.

'Mother' by Andrew Parker, which was shortlisted for the BP Portrait Exhibition 2009, at The National Portrait Gallery, London.










Recently Andrew started an MA in Fine Art at Manchester University and was keen to broaden his portfolio, so began painting still lives of fruit which can be seen at the gallery, each painting a study in strength and beauty. i've never known so many people beguilded by a banana.














Andrew is also available for portrait commissions. Please contact the gallery by phone or email if you'd like more information.

SPECIAL SUNDAY OPENINGS...

Untitled by Jane Morley

To celebrate the first Bollington Walking Festival, thewhitegallery is hosting an exhibition of landscape paintings (see information below).

We will be opening over both weekends of the festival, including
10-3pm on Sunday 17th and Sunday 24 October. Please join us for a glass of wine and an opportunity to meet some of the artists whose work will be on display.

Jane Morley & Tim Ball...

I'm delighted to introduce two new artists to thewhitegallery: Stockport-based Jane Morley and Derbyshire artist, Tim Ball.

Both artists exhibited at this year's Wirksworth Arts Festival - a real gem of an event worth looking out for next year if you've never been before - and I was immediately struck by the beauty of their work.

"My previous paintings were inspired by modernist architecture and classical landscape painting," says Jane, "but my most recent work deals with actual locations, giving a cropped picture-postcard view of some favourite buildings and places around Manchester and beyond."

Janes almost photographic paintings have a beauty and light reminiscent of the American artist Edward Hopper. People are absent from her pictures, allowing the buildings to stand alone, as personalities in their own right.

Tim Ball focuses on the natural landscape for his work, in particular trees.























"Landscape has been my inspiration for many years and my main focus has been the Peak District. I attempt to capture images that are a snapshot of a certain place at a certain time, often revisiting throughout the various seasons. The colours and compositions are very important, often obscure but which represent a chance glimpse into the ever-changing spaces of our environment."

Both Jane and Tim refer to photography in their analysis of their work which is very interesting: as a photographer myself I enjoy framing a picture in-camera and finding interesting and unusual ways to present quite ordinary things - a chair perhaps, or a building against the blue sky - and I can see this approach in both Jane and Tim's illuminating paintings.

'ART OF LANDSCAPE' 15-30 OCTOBER

'Soft Light over Shuttlingsloe' by Dean Entwistle

As part of the first Bollington Walking Festival 2010, thewhitegallery is hosting a new exhibition of work inspired by the joys of walking, examining the way in which the landscape influences and defines a painters work.

Local artists taking part include Dean Entwistle, Colin Halliday, Jenny Hirst, Zelda Pickup, Emily Mugridge, Emma King, Jane Osmond, Carlo Eves and Di Metcalfe.

thewhitegallery will be opening on both Sundays through the festival fortnight, from 10-3pm, with a glass of wine and nibbles available to help you enjoy your afternoon. We look forward the seeing you then.

colin halliday

It was a pleasure to visit the home of artist Colin Halliday last week, whose Derbyshire attic is stuffed full of beautiful landscapes. There is a barn too, which you walk to from his front door past the chickens and up some precarious wooden steps, to find more of the same: exquisite oils on canvas, the colours melting into one another, big bold skies and windswept hills.




Each painting was as glorious as the next and made choosing just five or six to bring back to the gallery really difficult. There is an energy to Colin's work which really takes your breath away.

"You should paint how you feel" he says. "That's where the soul and spirit is."

We talk about the way he uses his own energy, working quickly and instinctively with the paint.

"The purer the marks the more soulful the painting. If you try and control it it becomes contrived and looses its integrity. You need to just let it be"

Colin Halliday's work will feature in a new exhibition of landscape paintings to be held next month at thewhitegallery. Other artists include Dean Entwistle, Jenny Hirst, Emma King and Zelda Pickup.

The Art of Landscape (15-30 October) is part of the Bollington Walking Festival. For more information, please visit www.cheshirepeakdistrict.com

a shining success...

at a time of global financial gloom, it's nice to be able to report that the art world is still shining, and that people can still see the worth of original art.









































the feedback from everyone who visited our open house in wilmslow was fantastic: over 300 people came through the doors, treating the house with great respect and letting us know how much they appreciated the work that had gone in to the show.

the paintings looked so beautiful, hanging in such a great space and it was interesting to see how people reacted to the work in situ. so often, large galleries can seem rather austere and it's difficult to image a piece of work hanging in your own living room. by exhibiting art in a home environment, you begin to see it in a different light and perhaps visualise it above your own mantle.



























it was a great weekend for all the artists, especially jo deas who hosted the occasion and whose work virtually sold out - a testament to her talent and ability.

thank you to everyone who took part, and to everyone who visited the exhibition.















artist and host, jo deas.

open art house - 3&4 july 2010

For one weekend only, thewhitegallery and artist Jo Deas are hosting an open art house at Jo's beautiful designer home in Wilmslow. Jo and husband Ben have kindly given over their living space so that five talented local artists (including Jo) can exhibit their work.

“We thought it would be a great opportunity to invite people to come and have a look at contemporary art exhibited in a home environment,” says Jo, who began life working in illustration and design and returned to her first love, painting, once her three children had started school.

The house has featured in a number of interiors magazines and the space is ideal for an exhibition. “Sometimes visiting large galleries can be a little bit daunting” Jo explains. “The art is beautifully displayed but it’s difficult for people to imagine how it might look above their own fireplace.”

All that is about to change, as we hang over 40 pictures by Jo, Amanda Wigglesworth, Jenny Hirst, Sabine Kussmaul and Fiona Charis Carswell.

All work is for sale and people are welcome to come along between
2-4pm on Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 july to enjoy the exhibition.

Lindow House can be found on Lindow Lane (off Racecourse Road), Wilmslow SK9 5LH.

mixed media painting by jo deas

For more information about the open art house, please call Fiona on 0776 167 7370.

thewhitegallery sponsors Young Macc: ART at Barnaby...

thewhitegallery is pleased to be sponsoring a great event at the Barnaby Festival.

Young Macc: ART is a mixed-media show of the best art from over 20 Macclesfield primary and secondary schools. It celebrates the hard work and creative vision of pupils of all ages and their teachers too. All schools have been invited to exhibit the work they are most proud of.


Visit the exhibition, which takes place at the Town Hall on Market Place, and spot the talent of tomorrow.

Young Macc: ART, sponsored by thewhitegallery, continues until 26th June.

'Art at al PANINO' - 17 June to 17 July

A specially commissioned photomontage of Macclesfield by Jack Lloyd, for the 'Art at al PANINO' exhibition.

As part of the Barnaby Festival, we've teamed up with al PANINO cafe bar on Chestergate to present a new exhibition of work by over 20 white gallery artists, including Amanda Wigglesworth, Jenny Hirst, Di Metcalfe, Carlo Eves and Jane Osmond, who, although best known for her beautiful etchings, is presenting oil paintings for the first time.

Art at al PANINO is a new collaboration: for a while now i've been looking for new and interesting spaces to hang my artists' work. When Julia, who owns the cafe, came into the gallery one day last year we got talking. Only days before I'd been in the cafe, coveting its wall space. Don't you just love serendipity. So now we're putting on an exhibition together - a great opportunity to showcase more work to more people, and enjoy great coffee into the bargain.

Art at al PANINO runs from 17 June to 17 July.

Please come along over the Festival weekend especially, and enjoy seeing Macclesfield as you've never seen it before. If you go on the festival website there's an art quiz for the kids too, so you can enjoy walking around all the different exhibitions and venues, whilst the children are kept busy hunting for clues.

Don't miss out - please get involved, buy tickets for some of the fabulous events, and support this not-for-profit festival which deserves every success.

al PANINO cafe bar is open 7 days a week, 8am-6pm Monday to Saturday & 10am-4.30pm on Sundays.

Macclesfield Barnaby Festival 18-20 June

Over the last few months, thewhitegallery has been busy helping to promote a wonderful new arts and culture festival happening this summer in Macclesfield.

The Barnaby Festival is a re-invention of the centuries-old tradition of celebrating St Barnabas’ feast day, when in more recent times factories and schools would shut down and everyone would head off to the seaside. It had virtually died out, but now it's back with a flourish.

Highlights of the festival include an opening street parade; ‘Save Us’ - a stunning exhibition of art and sound sculptures by award-winning artists with a Macclesfield connection; a community opera written by local conductor Nicholas Smith based on an old Maxonian courting ritual called the ‘Monkey Run'; a Late Night Cabaret; a Flaming June Fire Show and a live concert by internationally celebrated folk musician Jim Moray.

Andrea Booker SOS 2009 Reclaimed signage

Visit the website, pick up a brochure and plan how to spend one of the most exciting weekends of the summer.

Most of the events are free, but some are ticketed (and selling fast!) so please do drop in and buy yours from thewhitegallery. We're delighted to be a ticket venue and it's been a great opportunity to tell people about the festival, the events planned and also the people behind it. It's been a fantastic team effort and if everyone turns out to support us, we can look forward to many more Barnaby's in the years to come. If you fancy volunteering for a few hours over the weekend, then please let us know - the more the merrier I say!

For more information about events and artists, please visit www.barnabyfestival.org.uk.

'PAK JOY' EXHIBITION 1-15 MAY: New paintings by Christopher Rainham & Di Metcalfe

we are delighted to present a new exhibition of work by talented artists Christopher Rainham and Di Metalfe, which begins on saturday 1 may and continues for two weeks. the gallery will be open both sundays and on bank holiday monday too, from 11-4pm.

Rochdale-based Christopher Rainham paints beautifully realistic birds and modern still-lives, such as pak choi and ice cream sundaes. His fresh palette of colours – lime greens, cherry reds and iced gem blues – is perfect for leading us towards summer. An established artist, Christopher has exhibited throughout the UK - including successful Art Fairs in London and Glasgow – as well as America.

Di Metcalfe lives in Poynton and spends all her free-time painting in the garden shed! She creates vibrant sea and landscapes, using North Wales as her inspiration. Her paintings have been described as “little explosions of joy” and Di has created quite a stir since first exhibiting at the East Cheshire Hospice Exhibition two years ago.



If the weather’s nice, you'll also be very welcome to explore the hidden sculpture garden behind the gallery to enjoy ceramics by Amy Daniels and metal wall art by Congleton-based artists, Ian Turnock and Susan Laughton. There might even be tea and cakes, so make sure 'pak joy' is on your bank holiday to-do list!

paintings & chicken soup....

artist fiona charis carswell creates beautiful paintings: she also makes great chicken soup! one frosty morning recently, i drove over to chester where fiona lives. we'd been trying to meet since before christmas, when i saw her paintings for the first time at the 'off the edge' exhibition in styal, but sadly, snow, a flooded cellar (fiona's) and a dodgy clutch (mine) had prevented this. an invitation to lunch finally brought us together.



having spent most summers since childhood on the isle of jura in scotland, fiona's work is the result of a natural empathy with the wild and awe inspiring beauty of the island. interpreting its natural energy in the expanse of the landscape, her paintings and drawings are experimental in essence. she is searching out a balance, a fluency of composition, having observed the contours stretched and surrendered to the elements.



using lines of charcoal, blocks of pastel and paint, fiona works on board and perspex, layering with plaster and papers - building up or scraping back.

there is a stillness to her work - something so simple about the lines and the gentle colour palette -and yet there is also an energy and vibrancy which gives each picture a character of it's own.

fiona's background is fascinating: she studied fine art in oxford and was tutored by the world famous bookbinder, Ivor Robinson. her uncle was assistant to the sculptor Henry Moore, her cousin an assistant to anthony caro, and her grandfather a poet and writer. fiona has inherited those writing skills, and often incorporates text into her pictures. she is also currently working on the illustrations for a retelling of an african bushman tale.

the beautiful mural on her twin daughters' bedroom wall is also testament to her skills as a children's illustrator.

happy new year...

a very happy new year to all our customers, in this our third year of business. i can't thank people enough for their support and encouragement: we had a fantastic christmas, with customers choosing to visit us first for inspiration, which was lovely and much appreciated.

i'm just glad we seem to be offering something a little different & original- please keep visiting, and be assured we will keep offering lots of new and exciting things for you to enjoy.

something special...

painting in acrylic by di metcalfe

with christmas just around the corner, what better excuse to buy your loved ones something special from thewhitegallery: choose from a range of original paintings and prints, sculptures and ceramics, textiles and jewellery, including some fantastic new pieces made by local silversmith, alison lees, and a new range of necklaces, bracelets and rings by popular designer, jenny young.

we also have tote bags and holdalls made from vintage fabrics by artist karen anthony, on special offer this christmas.

we've even taken care of the wrapping bit, and are offering customers a special gift wrapping service, free of charge. so please do pop in for a mooch and find the perfect present this christmas.

we look forward to welcoming you.

please note, thewhitegallery will be closing for christmas on wednesday 23 december at 5pm and will reopen on wednesday january 13 2010.

let it snow...

'beetham tower, evening light' by ian jarman

as the nights draw in, there is nothing i like more than dressing the christmas windows to cheer everyone as they return home from work and school. this year, we have a special addition in the shape of a christmas tree made from an old metal table and the shelves of an oven - creative recycling by artist gavin darby.

we also have lots of new and interesting gift ideas, from jewellery to journals, paintings to prints, ceramics to soft furnishings, including hand-printed silk screen cushions made by local designer,
rachel sumner.

new paintings include landscapes by emma king, emily mugridge, di metcalfe and zelda pickup.







'crisp day' by emma king.

we also have a collection of abstract work by henry quick who incorporates found objects from the two world wars into his pictures, which are both stunning and quietly respectful of the events and places remembered.

other new artists to join us include colin halliday,liz orchison and polish artist wojciech plust.

we are also delighted to welcome award-winning painter ben kelly, who has recently moved to macclesfield and created two charming prints of white nancy which are on sale now.














we also have new monoprints by ian jarman and joan fisher, whose skylines of manchester are striking and beautiful.

CARLO & CROFT EXHIBITION 4-21 NOVEMBER

Rainow (oil on canvas) by Malcolm Croft

thewhitegallery is delighted to be hosting a two-man show by local artists, Carlo Eves and Malcolm Croft. The show coincides with the gallery's second birthday.

Snake Pass (acrylic on board) by Carlo Eves

Carlo paints mainly landscapes and takes his inspiration from Italy (where he grew up) as well as the hills and fields of Cheshire and Derbyshire.

Malcolm also draws on his surroundings, but focuses on still-life and the everyday: a colander, a coffee pot, a vase of chrysanthemums.













Local potter, Chris Malins, will also be exhibiting raku ceramics. "We thought it would be an interesting challenge to collaborate," says Carlo, who has know Chris for years as a friend and fellow teacher at Mid-Cheshire College in Northwich. "I worked on a series of paintings and Chris produced hand-thrown pots which I then painted in a similar style. It was wonderful working with different glazes and there is always a sense of alchemy with raku, which makes it very exciting."

A vessel thrown by Chris Malins and decorated by Carlo Eves.









Malcolm Croft is currently exhibiting work in Chorlton, Manchester and Lymm. An award-winning photographer, he had to give up his career behind the lens after a serious road accident. Influenced by Frida Kahlo and David Hockney, Malcolm uses bold outlines and strong colours in his work. "I like to paint scenes around my home, because that is my daily environment," he says."I particularly focus on food and meal times, because that is when the family comes together at the end of the day."

Recently Malcolm's work has received wide acclaim, featuring in several magazines and on BBC television. His recent one-man show sold out in 48 hours, selling a total of 41 pictures.

thewhitegallery was the first gallery to exhibit Malcolm's work back in November 2007, when we first opened.

lovely new things at thewhitegallery...

This is my very favourite time of the year, when the evenings start to draw in and the trees suggest a change of colour. To celebrate the beginning of Autumn, Bollington artist Andrea Fisher has made a tree for the window, using copper and iron wire.

Andrea graduated from Blackpool college with a degree in Illustration, specialising in Science and Natural History, and her fascination with root systems and leaf structures can be appreciated in the fine detail of this sculpture.


















Other recent additions to the gallery, include block paintings by Christopher Rainham who delights in painting birds, especially robins, and a new collection of felt scarves and corsages by international felt artist, Claire de Ruiter. Each piece is made using undyed wool from local sheep.

"There is no need to dye the fleece" says Claire, "as the natural colours from individual sheep are stunning: oatmeal, grey, bright brown. When you apply moisture, heat and friction, such a strong fabric is created - felt is the world's oldest fabric. Working with an organic product creates a very satisfying affinity to the landscape."

For more information about Claire's work, and to find out about her felting workshops, please visit www.clairederuiter.co.uk

beautiful light...

you have to wonder whether the mills around here were designed with photography in mind, all fabulous vaulted ceilings and huge arched windows letting in the light. whilst shooting at clarence mill for the local wisdom project, i was drawn to the way in which sunlight danced off the stone and made peoples' skin almost iridescent. it was one of those beautiful summer days...

we met some wonderful people, all generous enough to share their stories with us: about their wedding suits (which would be their death shrouds too - so practical and such a lovely idea, taking your wedding suit and everything it witnessed, to the grave) and their inherited shawls; their special skirts and commissioned kimonos; their handbags made from recycled horse tack and jumpers knitted using hair from a much-loved hound! all of life visited the mill that day.

the photographs we took in totnes and bollington will feature as part of an exhibition at 'fashion for good' in sydney australia, where kate fletcher will be giving the key-note speech. some of the photographs will also be on display in thewhitegallery window during our summer holiday in august. please take a look.

for more images, please visit www.fionabaileyphotography.co.uk and click on 'special projects'.