The Nook
Gamblesby
CA10 1HY
T: 01768 889074
E: ronanp@phonecoop.coop
Directions
From Alston take A686 westbound to Melmerby (good food at the famous Village Bakery or the Shepherd's Inn).
On entering the village
there is a sharp right turn signposted to Gamblesby; in the centre of
Gamblesby is a crossroads with a signpost to Little Salkeld and Glassonby.
To the right at the crossroads, the bridge over the beck leads to three
properties of which the centre one, set behind the large beech tree, is
The Nook. The studio is in the barn to the left of the house.
Facilities
Toilet and parking on and off site are available; also, garden
and play area (parental supervision!), but no wheelchair access to studio.
Other Attractions
Notes on the history of the village will be available together with a map
showing short local walks.
Rona Newsom: Painting in oils is my preferred medium. I often resort to a palette
knife in my excitement to achieve the bold, colourful effects I am working
towards.
My subject matter is varied:
Still lifes to cheer me up on
cold dark days, when spirits can be lifted with a display of bright images
to capture on my canvas, such as "A Meal of Mussels" (see below),
showing a bowl of empty shells, wine goblets, crumpled linen napkins and
all the other remains of a delicious repast.
Outdoor work, depicting my love of gardens and scenes in quiet places:
"Wild Wood Walk", a rickety gate leading one
through the wild flowers and grasses to the cool of the trees.
Story pictures which jog a happy memory: "Cricket in Cornwall", showing Granddad as wicket keeper and his two
grand-daughters, one fielding, the other awaiting an oncoming ball with the
concentration of a determined professional.
"A Meal of Mussels" , oil on canvas,
95cm x 65cm
Sean Newsom works in both pastels and oils.
"I've been doing lots of landscape lately - I love
drawing in pastels out in the open, especially in
bright sun or when the wind's blowing. The wind is a
constant inspiration - a good thing, because it's been
blowing a lot this summer - and I'm investigating ways
of getting that movement into my work, breaking up
forms and creating rhythms in the colour. I'm also
playing around with light and texture. I've had a lot
of fun drawing in the lanes around Gamblesby lately.
The dry stone walls there are mesmerising."
