The first exhibition of the New Year at the ArtHouse Cafe will feature four experienced local artists whose work covers a wide range of styles and media.
Alan and Sarah Padwick are well-known artists from Devizes who have exhibited widely in the UK, including at the Mall Galleries in London and the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists in Wells.
Alan has painted since childhood. He enjoys painting and drawing animals and other subjects, but is most interested in the human face and figure and has had steady success with commissions for portraits. He teaches art to privately run classes and is currently chairman of the Lawrence Society of Art in Devizes.
Sarah took up watercolour painting in 1989 and paints mainly landscapes, including subjects requested by clients. She also paints miniature portraits on ivorine and watercolour pictures on old ivory keys, as well as landscapes in pastel and “portraits” of clients’ homes. Both Alan and Sarah are delighted to receive commissions.
Mike Gorringe was always interested in painting and drawing from an early age and completed a four-year design course at the Art and Design College in Twickenham. He later attained membership of the Chartered Society of Designers and has completed over 40 years in the design of exhibitions.
When he moved to Wiltshire he was persuaded to pick up his pencils, brushes and paints and now produces a wide range of work in watercolour and pastel. He and Alan and Sarah Padwick are regular exhibitors at the Art House Cafe.
Marc Shilling – Candlelight Artist: Marc is a self-taught artist who lives and works in Devizes. Over the years he has achieved an incredible level of draftsmanship and has perfected and honed his natural skills to produce a significant body of work.
His work is pared down to only three elements: pencil, paper and candlelight. He sources photographs and distorts and superimposes them to produce works of great detail.
His work is greatly appreciated by private collectors in Britain and Russia and he has exhibited with great success in London, Salisbury, Glasgow and Moscow. This is his first exhibition at the Art House Cafe.
The January exhibition will last from Monday 4th to Sunday 31st January. Come along and support the only art gallery in Melksham and allow yourself to be tempted to buy affordable, original art as well as breakfast, lunch, or coffee and delicious cakes.
The Art House Cafe and Gallery are run by the Rotary Club of Melksham which donates all profits to local charities.
