Out on display.

 Well this is a little different for me, after running my own gallery for so long it was nice to be asked to exhibit in someone else's gallery for a change. This time however it wasn't my paintings which I actually don't have any to show at this time but the space was for my photographs. The gallery in question is The Nest Gallery, just along Newgate in Barnard Castle not far from where my shop was a the top of The Bank.

The Nest Gallery has a really nice collection of work on show, paintings, ceramics, sculpture and of course photography. Combine this with a rather nice cafe and it's a setting in which I am pleased to have my work on show.

 I have put on show a selection of framed images, some of which are featured in The Teesdale 2014 Calendar as well as other mounted prints and of course a selection of greeting cards.

 The Nest is open everyday and although I will not be there in person I hope that if you are in the area you may take time to call in and have a look round.

 My work  is on display there up until Christmas, who knows, you may just find the perfect gift.

Late light.

  After a day in the gallery I was all set just to head home. It was only by chance that I had parked further along the road than usual and as I approached the car I could see the roof of the Bowes Museum just above the tree line. It was glowing. Quickly jumping in the car I drove the short distance to the grounds of the museum, grabbed the camera and was just in time to fire off a couple of shots of the last of the evening light.

Bowes Museum.

Within a minute or so after this shot the light had faded so it really was just in the nick of time. Then it was time to head home and tea was hardly late at all. Well worth the effort I think.

Barney Streetscape

  It is easy to miss a good shot thats right on your doorstep. Even though this scene is just a few steps from the gallery front door and one which to me is so familiar, it was the warm evening light that made the scene tonight. The old historic buildings that line this steep road known as The Bank give a real charactar to this part of town. Sure it would be better if the cars weren't there but we can't put back time.

Evening Light, The Bank, Barnard Castle

Signs of Spring

  A nice bright morning here in Barnard Castle and a walk though Flatts Wood just to the west of the town gave the dogs a good run before going to the gallery. It was nice to see the natural signs of Spring emerging from the undergrowth.

Snowdrops in Flatts Wood.

I have seen other posts of photos of snowdrops already but mostly early versions in gardens so it was nice to come across this clump, it really does lift the spirits.

Christmas Eve

  It's a bright and cold winters day here in Teesdale and this morning I was able to get a couple of shots on the way into the gallery.

Red Grouse.

Swaledale in snow.

Bowes Castle

Waiting for feed.

River Greta and Gilmonby Bridge.

Country Bridge, Barnard Castle.

Now much more ice on the river than  last week.

Things have been extremely busy here on the run up to Christmas so I haven't been able to get out as much as I would have liked but hopefully this will be put right in the New Year.
 Meantime, here is wishing you a Very Merry Christmas and thank you for your response to this new venture.
Andy

A walk before work.

 I always carry the camera with me even on the shortest of walks. Today was no exception and as it was a day in the gallery for me and the dogs we took a short walk to the east of the town. As we left the outskirts of Barnard Castle the sun was just rising.

Sunrise over snow.

It looked as if any sun this morning would be limited judging by the higher cloud but I took the chance and walked towards Egglestone Abbey, about a mile downstream from the town.

 

Dawn at Egglestone Abbey.

I had timed it just about right as the warm sun was just hitting the walls of the ruin as I approached. I already have a good shot such as this in my portfolio but its still a great sight to see. Now heading back towards the town we followed the banks fo the River Tees and in some places it was almost completely frozen over.

First light on the frozen river.

For a period of time the early sun faded and we walked back towards Barnard Castle and it was only after we crossed back over the County Bridge did we get a last glimmer of early light on the warm stonework.

County Bridge in early sun.