Julian Bray is well-known as an energetic and engaging tutor and his enthusiasm for Art has been inspiring countless students in Nottinghamshire for the last few decades. Alongside his successful career as a teacher, Julian has been a professional and commercial artist with paintings in private collections and public buildings.
“My interest lies in the development of new ways of representing the world and I enjoy using a range of transparent media to achieve this. I celebrate shape and colour and hope to encourage the viewer to see their surroundings afresh.
“The work I produce ranges from semi-abstracted architecture rich in texture and colour, to narrative images about place.”
The paintings in this new exhibition at Cath Ray Gallery & Studios on Bridgegate in Retford are all large watercolours with rich, contrasting colours and depict local buildings with interesting architectural features, or woodland spaces with built remains and leftover structures from our industrial past. These include Papplewick Church, Newstead Abbey, Harlow Woods, and Haddon Hall.
“The subjects in my paintings dictate my response, and it is important to me to have an opinion about the qualities I wish to communicate rather than applying the same style to all. My paintings vary stylistically and it is this considered approach to each subject that is their strength.”
Julian will also be leading a workshop at the gallery on 5 Dec (1-4pm) where participants will create paintings layered with architectural details in acrylic paints on canvas. Julian will be on hand throughout the afternoon to encourage new techniques and ways of painting, with reference to his own work surrounding the group on the walls of the gallery.
Courses
Running alongside the exhibition
in November will be a course exploring colour theory and colour-mixing for artists who wish to sharpen up their know-ledge and skills. It consists
of one, two hour session each week offered on a Monday
(1 – 3pm), Thursday (7 – 9pm) or Saturday afternoon (3 – 5pm).
In December there will be a three week Coptic Bookbinding course running on these days and times - please contact the gallery for more information and bookings.
Other Courses, Workshops, & Events At The Gallery This Season Include:
Slow Stitching For The Soul, Card-Making And Scrapbooking
Fortnightly on alternate Fri mornings.
Mosaics & Stained Glass With Melanie Eldred
Weekly 4 – 6pm on Weds
Ceramics – Green Man With Shaun Clark
Sun 2 & 30 Nov, 11 – 3pm
Late Night Opening
Thurs 11 Dec until 9pm
Annual Charity Art Auction
Mon 29 Dec from 7pm
In aid of Papyrus the charity for the prevention of suicide in young people.
For more information, please contact the gallery:
Open Mon – Sat, 10am – 5pm (closes 2pm Tues).
Call: 0780 3204424
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
