Artists Lesley Shaw and Steve Huison at the launch of Reigning Cats And Dogs at Pyramid Gallery, York
IT’S reigning cats and dogs at Pyramid Gallery, Stonegate, York. Yes, you read that right. Reigning. Not raining.
Welcome to a show of animal art work in mixed media by Lesley Shaw and paintings by Steve Huison, the actor from The Full Monty -turned artist, on display until July 6.
Lesley and Steve first met at Pyramid Gallery in 2016 when Steve had his first portrait exhibition at Terry Brett’s gallery, A Year In Bay, featuring paintings of locals he met on moving to Robin Hood’s Bay on the Yorkshire coast.
“They quickly became friends and admirers of each other’s art work, purchasing pieces from each other and swapping techniques and ideas,” recalls Terry. “After a conversation here in the gallery, they decided they wanted to do an exhibition showcasing collective work with the subject matter of beloved pets”.
As an actor, Huison is best known for his portrayal of Lomper in the 1997 film The Full Monty and his reprisal of the same character, 25 years on, in Disney’s eight-part series The Full Monty in 2023.
Among other acting work, Steve played Eddie Windass in Coronation Street from November 14 2008 to April 25 2011, having appeared previously in the Weatherfield soap as Andy Morgan in 2003.
Terry enthuses: “Steve is an exceptional artist. His subjects are usually people; he has an incredible ability to capture character in his work, whether it is a person, an animal or indeed a building.”
Between acting projects, Steve has been working on pet portraits. He works mainly with oil on canvas but has experimented with other media and has taken a class with Lesley to learn how to work with drypoint.
Lesley has been drawing as long as she can remember. “In her childhood, there was always a family pet cat or dog that had their images immortalised by her hand,” says Terry. “People and animals are her muse. She has been attending life drawing classes for more than 30 years and has studied both fashion and illustration.
“She begins with a sketch, then works quickly and instinctively in charcoal, pencil or ink, trying to capture the beauty and simplicity of the form. She then uses traditional printmaking techniques or mixed media to create her final images.”
Reigning Cats And Dogs in the front room at Pyramid Gallery, Stonegate, York, until July 6, Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm; Sundays during summer months, but ring to check on 01904 641187.