BLOSSOM Street Gallery, in York, has two exhibitions running simultaneously until the end of August.
Colourforms presents brightly coloured paintings by Fiona Lane and Claire West; Enchanted Forest brings together a highly imaginative collection of papier-mâché sculptures by Annie Stothert, inspired by folklore, myth and fairy tales.
Painter and printmaker Claire West works from her studio in Beverley, East Yorkshire, exhibiting in galleries throughout Britain and licensing her art to major retailers.
Claire’s work is often used by television production companies too. “My aim is to spark joy both in others and myself,” she says. “I paint because it makes me happy. I hope that my work makes you smile too!”
Fiona Lane, a self-taught mixed-media artist from Claremont Terrace, Gillygate, York, is always developing her style.
Preferring to paint outside, whether in the woods, by the sea or in her flower-filled York courtyard, this 2022 York Open Studios artist stretches and smooths paint that she applies with palette knives and brushes, adding details with other media.
Painting seascapes and landscapes, mostly on canvas, she loves working with colour and light, creating “soothingly immersive” pictures.
Annie Stothert trained in graphics at Carlisle but since raising a family she has become interested in papier mâché and its possibilities as a medium for creating sculptural pieces.
Based in Yorkshire for 30 years, her work ranges from small decorations to large whimsical pieces, taking inspiration from nature, mythology and illustration.
The pieces are created using traditional papier-mâché techniques, with the addition of other mixed media, and are hand painted with acrylic paints before being varnished.
Opening hours at Blossom Street Gallery, Blossom Street, York, are Thursdays, 12 noon to 4pm; Friday and Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sundays, 10am to 3pm.
