[A] bus stop in the grounds of an Eden Valley artist was the unusual location for Penrith Tourist Information Centre (TIC) this week to launch their latest retail partnership with local artists in the area. The bus stop looks as though it used to stand on the main street in Tirril located between Penrith and Pooley Bridge. How it came to land beside the studio of local artist Haydn Morris remains a mystery.
Today, the bus stop provides the unusual setting for Haydn to enjoy his passion for painting impressionistic oils and watercolours, inspired mainly by nature and man’s involvement with it. His paintings express the excitement he feels about locations around the Eden Valley and Cumbria that he has visited over many years. Penrith TICs Manager, Charlie Thornton, stopped off at the bus stop to help Haydn Morris put the finishing touches to a painting which will go on sale at the TIC.
In a new venture with Penrith TIC, an exhibition of Haydn’s paintings, which will be displayed over the summer, features the landscapes of the Eden Valley and the Lake District. Many of his paintings explore the Edge of the Fell, a rich and varied landscape, where cultivated farmland meets open country. Here are many signs of man’s activities from days when more people worked the land – ancient walls, barns, sheepfolds and track ways. Farming has changed and today the fell edge is gradually being reclaimed by nature. Visitors to the TIC will be able to view and buy paintings to take away as souvenirs of their visit to this beautiful corner of Cumbria.
“For me, atmosphere is more important than too much detail. Leaving something to the imagination may stimulate people to engage with the work more closely and enjoy it more”, highlighted Haydn Morris. “Another reason for my impressionist approach is that I want to create an interesting composition in an abstract sense – through an appealing arrangement of colours, lines, tones and textures. This leads me to move things around a little and perhaps change or exaggerate the colours – but I always aim to express the atmosphere and sense of place which I experienced. “
Alongside being able to view and purchase paintings at Penrith TIC, which is now open 7 days a week during the summer, people are most welcome to visit Haydn’s studio in Tirril. The studio along with many others around the Eden Valley will be opening for the Eden Valley’s new art trail which is running from 16th to 18th June. Organised by the Eden Valley Artistic Network (EVAN), the trail features 40 artists from Kirkby Stephen to Carlisle. More details may be found at: www.edenvalleyartisticnetwork.co.uk and from Eden TICs
