Mark Harris Briantspuddle Art Gallery Dorset
Halcyon Days
New Exhibition
Every Saturday from 4th November until 23rd December
10AM - 4PM
Briantspuddle Art Gallery
The Old Engine Shed, Briantspuddle, Dorset, DT2 7HR
Alternatively contact us to arrange a private viewing
07970 627484 / 07941 880082
"What wrong with just a beautiful painting" - Quote from Matthew Collins (Art Critic)
This collection of works I named “Halcyon days” , painting for myself creates an inner dialogue with the weight of the masters upon your shoulders and the shock and awe of modern art ringing in your ears.
Imagery is every where nowadays the age of digital cameras, phones and of course the wonderful world-wide web has change our lives for ever. Scrolling, selfies, uploading, installing, how can an individual create an image that can capture someone's attention in our ever speeding lives.
For a moment I thought perhaps the past events of lockdown could slow down time let us come up for air and realise what really matters to us, it seems that it was just a blink though, not a new way of life..
I try and create paintings that stirs nostalgia, triggers the mind to smell the sweet scents of summer or hear the buzzard screech above the golden fields and the sounds of the flowing rivers and streams. A glimpse, a moment in time when we were not aware of how vulnerable nature is.
Painting the landscape has never felt more important to me as it does now, it’s as if I maybe creating images that will for the next generation and may be only rumours of those “Halcyon days"
New Works Available For Sale
Chalky Road £3000.00
Triptych
This is an impression of the hills above the village of Sutton Poyntz. Tucked between the bustle of the County town of Dorchester and the coastal town of Weymouth is Whitcombe, a high point that looks across to the Island of Portland. This is an incredible vantage point to look over the combes of Bincombe and down to the flat lands of the coastal marshes on the edge of Weymouth. One of my favourite views and areas to walk.
Mappowder £3000.00
Triptych
Another ode to the farming industry of the Dorset countryside during the busy times just before the wheat and barley are harvested. Wheat fields are notoriously difficult to depict due to the range of colours and textures and the harsh light of the summer sun. Summer is mother natures season of "eye candy" so much going on with the colours, hues, shadows, textures. I spent a week just walking around these fields and studying the different times of the day. I decided I liked the fullness of the summer light in the middle of the day, the lack or shortness of the shadows seems to simplify the landscape and thats the feeling I like to paint the most.
Bulbarrow £3000.00
Triptych
This painting was inspired by the early days of this spring (2023) above the village of Antsy in the heart of the farmland of West Dorset. There was a break in the weather and the first heat of the Spring sun could be felt on my back as I walked. I remember just how clean and clear the air was and how the landscape was just popping with tones of green. The distant hills and fields looked so luminous as if the usual hazing effect wasn't happening. A day saved in my "lucky to be alive" locker.
Above Briantspuddle £3000.00
Triptych
This is the view from above my village of Briantspuddle, I am so lucky to see it most days, from my bike, car or when walking out with my dog. This impression was created in midsummer when the sun is high in the sky and the greens of the landscape are almost silvery when bleached by the bright light. I find this time of the year the hardest to portray, what I am feeling and seeing as the light plays tricks and creates curious colours and shadows. Also trying to convey the heat of the land warmed by the summer sun and the dry and dusty mood of high summer.
Cow Drove £2500.00
Triptych
This is a spot I know very well as I see it each and every day when taking my dog for her morning walk, wind, rain, shine, snow, in the light and in the dark. Its looking at the hills above Bere Regis from a small heathland ridge between my village of Briantspuddle and Bere Regis. I have looked at these fields for over 4 years and often thought I should try and describe the view with a painting. This summer the heat and settled weather came late, the previous month had been very wet and often the hills had low clouds. When the weather broke and when out walking one evening I came to the familiar spot and was just so taken by how strong the colours were, forms of the trees, hedgerows and the distant hills and felt a need to paint it.
Harvest Time £3000.00
Triptych
This painting was inspired by rolling hills and farmland surrounding the villages of Mappowder & Antsy in the heart of the Dorset landscape. You cant help but feel part of the seasons when you live and work in the county. I feel very lucky to see and be part of a working landscape that has been modelled by the farming Industry.
Old Friend
Triptych
£3000.00
This painting is an impression of an area by Blackdown Hills near Wick and Combe Raleigh in Devon. I was fortunate to work and live there and this was always a great view to pass after a stressful day. I wanted to capture the depth and texture of this more Combe like landscape with its dramatic valleys and great vista. Only catching glimpses through a car window past a stunning creation of mother nature.
Golden Cap £3000.00
Triptych
The highest spot along the Dorset Coast and part of the Jurassic heritage Golden Cap is one of my old haunts that dominates the horizon when you live and travel this part of Dorset. I had the good fortune to do just that, a place I spent many hours walking up and down, around and below, painting the views and surrounding landscape. Although still a working farm area more of the hills and fields earn their living from the tourism industry.
Glorious Dorset £2700.00
Triptych
The highest spot along the Dorset Coast and part of the Jurassic heritage Golden Cap is one of my old haunts that dominates the horizon when you live and travel this part of Dorset. I had the good fortune to do just that, a place I spent many hours walking up and down, around and below, painting the views and surrounding landscape. Although still a working farm area more of the hills and fields earn their living from the tourism industry.