Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Norman Ackroyd

I fell in love with Norman Ackroyd's work a couple of years ago when I first saw his 'A Shetland Notebook' (a collection of sketches done from the deck of a boat, they're basically rough impressions and notes to be worked up later - and utterly magical). Since then I've spent quite a bit of time eyeing up his aquatints online in a deeply covetous manner.

There is a gallery in Thirsk (Zillah Bell) which holds an extensive collection of Ackroyd prints and was on our route between Rievaulx abbey and Harrogate so we stopped to have a look - and I bought one. Which was extravagant, but after 2 years thinking about it isn't something I'm going to regret.

The extravagance is relative, to my eye this is a thing of beauty which will be a joy forever, I had the money for it, and honestly I can't think of a better way to spend it than on art. Prints are a comparitivley affordable way of collecting, and be they woodcuts, Lino cuts, screen prints, aquatints, engravings, lithographs, (the list goes on) there's a lot to love.

Really though, this post is just about sharing something I'm beyond delighted with.


Before framing

The magic moment, back from the framers - you already know what it looks like but now you get to unwrap it, know it's all yours, decide where to hang it, and generally enjoy yourself. Love this bit.

And framed, it's a terrible photo. Sorry! 

Incidentally, the title is 'Scarborough', somewhere I've never been, but I do love the mood of this image. 


8 comments:

  1. The mood is captivating, I can understand why you bought it. In addition to its beauty and meaning for you, I agree, it is good to support artists.

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    1. Supporting artists, and decent galleries, is important. It would be a dull sort of world without them.

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  2. That's very good and atmospheric. It's lovely to get something like that that is so pleasing and you can really appreciate. If you've not seen it before, there's a programme about him that I watched on YT once, I think it's still up, and you may want to watch it. It's 'What Do Artists Do All Day', type that and his name.

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    1. I have seen it, and it's an excellent programme. Of all the things I spend money on for fun, books included, nothing gives me more pleasure than pictures.

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  3. It looks marvellous, you'll enjoy it for ever.

    Scarborough is well worth a visit, especially mid-week, out of season. The Gardens are a delight.

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    1. It's on the list, it's somewhere I really would like to visit. It's just a question of finding a couple of spare days. And you're right - I will enjoy it.

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  4. It is beautiful! Toffeeapple is right, you will enjoy it for ever.

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    1. She is right. I can't tell you how much I enjoy looking at it.

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