East Lancashire fine art specialist curates new gallery for North West artist

A renowned East Lancashire fine art specialist is curating a new gallery space for famed North West artist Norman Long.

Mary Gavagan, from Darwen, is showcasing a collection of Long’s work in a free exhibition titled ‘Summer Observations’ at the ‘Art in the Atrium’ gallery within Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa in Windermere.

Long is revered for his outstanding artistic flexibility.

Adept in both still life and landscape paintings, he is most notably appreciated for his perceptive figure compositions.

His works commonly depict public spaces, capturing intriguing relationships and interactions that breathe life into his paintings.

‘Summer Observations’ is a collaborative initiative between Gavagan Art and English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues.

The exhibition will go on until October 23, 2024.

Long’s work has, over the past six years, been showcased by The New English Art Club.

He has also shared his creations at exhibitions with the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters.

Executive chairman of English Lakes Hotels, Simon Berry, expressed his delight at adding Long’s repertoire to their existing series.

He said: “Norman Long’s work is another prestigious addition to our series of displays in the Art in the Atrium gallery.

“Norman combines painting from life with observational drawings, invention, photography and memory to convey the veracity of life.

“We’re delighted to be able to feature his work here at Low Wood Bay for our guests to enjoy and even buy if they wish.”

Norman’s talent was recognised early in his career with accolades including the de Laszlo Award (Royal Society of Portrait Painters) and Artist of the Year (Artist and Illustrators Magazine).

Commenting on his skill, Mary Gavagan said: “Norman’s light-filled oils manifest his love for colour and texture.

“He creates vibrant cityscapes and figurative compositions, capturing relationships between people in public spaces.

“He comments that he is inspired by the urgency to capture in paint the individual in a crowd before the subject moves or the light changes.”

A Preston native, Long studied at Newcastle University before securing a scholarship for postgraduate study at the esteemed Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art.

Currently residing in Lytham St Annes with his American wife and three children, he utilises his experience to guide novice painters.

Long is a published author on oil painting techniques and is a trustee of the Manchester Academy of Fine Art.

More information on ‘Summer Observations’ can be found on the Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa website.