Landscape paintings on show at Touchstones

One of Neil Ashton's paintings

A new exhibition in Gallery One, the community gallery, at Touchstones Rochdale has opened displaying scenic paintings by Neil Ashton.

After leaving the Armed Forces Mr Ashton decided to educate himself in art. He applied and was successful in choosing a Fine Art course at Canterbury Christ Church University. The course delivered the importance of observational study, with particular emphasis placed on the Life Room.

Mr Ashton’s main influence was Felcey`s approach to landscape painting. Each summer, small groups of students would embark on trips to Dartmoor (close to Felcey`s residence) to paint the landscape.

After graduating from Canterbury in 1999 Mr Ashton decided to move to Cornwall. It was during this rather `exposed` period that he took on the understandings and the temperament needed to be a serious painter.

Mr Ashton moved back to the North West region about five years ago and now lives and works in the Rochdale area. Neil has worked extensively in the Ashworth Vale and Healey Dell areas of Rochdale over the past four years capturing the local landscape.

Speaking about his work, Mr Ashton added: “My principle subject matter is the landscape. Through painting I try to celebrate the beauty of this subject. I seek to convey space, form and light through ideas, thought and imagination, with the use of drawing and colour. I very much enjoy the physicality of the paint in relationship to the subject.

“Although the subject itself is established through familiarity, I like the surprise a changing landscape always brings. Trying to capture or recognise the subject, whilst not forgetting the emotive content, on to canvas through drawing and colour, allowing the work to develop through ideas and thought, constantly assessing and reassessing the `construction` of the work.”