To Tromso with love!

The appointment was 2pm on Monday and he was spot on time despite walking the seven miles from Loweswater where he was staying. He bought the unframed Percy Kelly drawing of Loweswater church, stashed it in his rucksack and set off to walk back down the River Cocker. This was just the beginning of its journey. It will travel by bus, several trains and planes to its new home north of the Arctic Circle.  Loweswater was Kelly's favourite place in Cumbria. His second wife Christine referred to it as Percy's Happy Hunting Ground. It's things like this that make running a gallery so interesting and rewarding.

Our Norweigian friend bought his first Kelly, spotted on our web site 2 years ago making the same special pilgrimage. His second was posted in an appropriate canister which had contained a bottle of Scapa single malt whisky. But the Scapa had flowed and the empty tube came in handy.

The first painting to sell on the opening day of the Bennett show was by Michael Bennett and is also going to make a long journey - to Washington DC. The purchaser has not yet seen it and has acquired it by the magic of the web and e mails.

The Bennett show is roaring along. There are a few things left; see the exhibitions page of the web site www.castlegatehouse.co.uk and see the red spots. You'll have to be quick to secure one.

If the genii of the lamp appeared  in my office with 2 wishes, the top of the long list would be superfast broadband and a cumbrian airport no matter how small and limited. Tourists and IT dinosaurs love this place for its peace and quaintness but to run an international business here is frustrating at times. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else BUT we do need efficient tools to exist and compete in such isolation so far from the capital.

I suppose I want it all - but it's good to dream.

AFTER HERCULES

AFTER HERCULES is the theme of my talk at The Heron Theatre at Beetham (South of Kendal) on Friday 16th September at 7.30 pm.

A lot has happened during and after the publication of the book - so there will be more stories of art and artists, more strange predicaments and plenty of new developments. People are always saying 'you have such an interesting life' but there are times when it gets a little too 'interesting' and I wish it would just stand still for a little while to allow me to catch up with myself.

There will be bits of film, updated news of Hercules the brain surgeon and Philip the amorous sculptor, new characters and new adventures and much more. The farmer's wife, Karen Wallbank will be with us that evening in person with her droll wit and a small exhibition of paintings in the foyer for you to enjoy.

You can book on 015395 64283 or through info@theherontheatre.com or at the HERON theatre, Stanley Street, Beetham, Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7AS

THE BENNETT SHOW update

There has been a tremendous response to my last newsletter about June and Michael Bennett's upcoming exhibition. Unfortunately I haven't been as clear as I should have been about arrangements to buy.

The exhibition actually opens at 10.30 on the morning of Friday 9th September. We will begin selling work then and will take orders by phone, e mail and in person.

In the evening of the 9th September there will be a 'MEET THE ARTISTS' reception 6.00 - 8.00. to which you are all invited and we will be selling then as well. I am sure there will be plenty left to choose from.

Anyone travelling just to the evening 'do' or who is unable to come at all can put themselves on the 'Wish list' for any piece and we will reserve it for them on the day providing nobody else got there first in person at 10.30 am.

Sorry that is complicated. E mail me if you need more information/explanation/reservation and I'll do my best to help.

June and Michael Bennett Exhibition

June and Michael Bennett have pulled it off again and produced a magnificent exhibition which fills the whole gallery with colour and light. June's work is immediate and exuberant with thick textures making a bold statement. Michael's is more studied and dreamlike. He sometimes works on a painting for years building up layer upon layer of paint and impasto.

I have worried in the past in the run-up to an exhibition because his studio is full of work in progress with nothing he will admit to being finished. But now after more than twenty years as his dealer I am more relaxed because I know it will all come together and it has.

To celebrate this fabulous collection of work which opens 9th September and runs until 10th October we are having an evening 'soiree' on Friday 9th September 6.00pm - 8.00pm. June and Michael will be there so you can come and meet them. There will be wine and nibbly bits, chatter and laughter.

If you can't come, you can tour the exhibition at www.castlegatehouse.co.uk on the exhibitions page.