I've just finish reading a smashing book, it's written by Chris Wadsworth. She moved from the south up to the Lake District with her husband Michael, and they opened an art gallery in the small town of Cockermouth. She set out to find artists, famous and infamous, lost and unknown, whose work would eventually make her gallery in little known Cockermouth not just a local but an international success.
The first chapter is about their search for the perfect place to open a gallery, and signing on the dotted line when they found it and decided to buy Castlegate House. There is very little about themselves after that, the rest of the book is taken up with short stories about the artists that Chris found to supply the gallery with paintings and sculptures. She found that art springs from the most unexpected sources.
Chris tells their stories and recounts the many unlikely incidents that make up life in a Cumbrian art gallery. There is Percy Kelly, a reclusive transvestite who didn't want to sell his paintings. Karen Wallbank the farmwers wife who painted on whatever came to hand. There are stories of L.S. Lowry, Sheila Fell, Mary Feddon, and Bill Peasgood. Each chapter is a short story of how Chris came to meet the artists in her search for paintings for the gallery.
I found myself drawn into the fascinating stories, and couldn't put it down untill I finished a chapter. As I was reading I realised that Chris is actually painting the words as if they are pictures, she has such an eloquent and entertaining way of writing. It has certainly given me an insight into the world of valuable artworks at the top end of the market. And at last I have found some art that I actually like, not that I could ever afford any. I googled the artists names and found more pictures of their works. I particularly like Percy Kelly and Karen Wallbank.
Here is a link to Castlegate House. Chris Wadsworth has now sold the gallery and is concentrating on her writing. I definately recommend this book. The jacket illustration is by Percy Kelly.
Here is a rundown of my food today. Breakfast was bran flakes and a banana. Lunch was beans on toast (half a tin), with Ravioli, three portions in a bag. Oh, and I had a nibble of some cheese while the fridge door was open.
Dinner was a big plate of Tesco Tagliatelle, three portions in a bag, and a tub of home made veg curry. Very nice, I am stuffed. Nothing else needed.
That's all for now. Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip.
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