If you’re after art, then our nearby village of Painswick will certainly get your pulses racing. Of course, it’s not surprising that so many artists head for our neck of the woods – the charm of the Cotswold countryside is incredibly inspiring for anyone, and even more so for those with an eye for bucolic beauty.
We’re extremely proud of our local artists, the full-time professionals and the “part-timers”, and when you come to visit us here at the Inn we’ll no doubt be able to point you in the direction of an open studio or exhibition on the go in the neighbourhood.
There’s nearly always some artistic event happening at The Painswick Centre – an entertainment hub with several spaces to hire, which you’ll find in Bisley Street (postcode for Satnav is GL6 6QQ). You can check the latest events and exhibitions on the Centre’s Facebook page.
Open Studios
The Centre also has a set of open, working artist studios, which are currently occupied by Adele Lambert, Angela Mullen-Bryan and Barbara Swindin. These three talented women have very different styles. Adele creates theatrical oil paintings, award-winning Angela produces breath-taking large landscapes, while Barbara’s drawings and paintings evoke her passion for mountains.
If any of them are “at home” when you call at the Centre, they’ll be happy to talk to you about their work.
The Loovre
Of course, with such an artistic heritage it is not surprising that Painswick has an especially famous art studio/gallery – and it is called The Loovre!
It was local artist Rupert Aker who gave the village this unusual attraction, when he converted the old public toilets into a showcase for his stunning palette knife oils of Cotswold landscapes, usually painted en plein air.
This unusual venue has been featured in the national media a few times.
If you want to be sure of meeting Rupert at The Loovre its best to make a date to meet him there in advance. Otherwise, to see his paintings, take a drive to Burford (just off the A40 over the border in Oxfordshire) where his work is on show every day at the Burford Garden Company.
Wildlife
If landscapes overwhelm you, no doubt you will love the detailed, delightful wildlife drawings that flow from the pen (or is it pencil) of the amazing Kerry Jane.
Kerry describes herself as a “freelance” artist, combining her art with an entrepreneurial spirit which has her running a gift and homeware shop called The Falcons Nest in the village. The shop contains her studio, so if you’re interested in see her stunning work you can kill two birds with one stone, as it were, and browse through her unique shop at the same time. You’ll find the shop tucked behind The Falcon Inn (GL6 6UN).
Yew Trees
One of Painswick’s most celebrated artists is not actually a resident of the area – or even of the UK. Greg Thatcher hails from Iowa in the United States, but he has spent every summer for many years in St Mary’s churchyard in Painswick, making intricate drawings of the magnificent ancient yew trees which grow there.
He’s exhibited his yew tree series not only at home in the USA, but also in Canada, England and France. Many of the drawings have ended up in corporate and private collections.
If you’re in Painswick in July or August you’ll find Greg engrossed in his work at St Mary’s. If you’d like to know more right now, you can visit the Greg Thatcher Gallery online.
This article only mentions a few members of the large artistic community in Painswick. If you come this way in search of art treasures you won’t be disappointed.
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