Chris Pollard

Chris lives and works in Sheffield, close to the moors of the Peak District. His paintings seldom reflect the gentle undulations of Constable's countryside with their palette of greens and browns, but his inspiration comes from the diverse changes in weather and its effect on the landscape. Picture postcard scenes become atmospheric compositions with a startling use of colour. Chris likes to paint the changing light of a stormy day, where shafts of sunlight pierce the mists and light up a small section of fell.

Chris tries to capture the emotions he feels about a place, the excitement of a trip to the lakes, or a sombre walk around Kinder Scout in the mist. Everybody has their own feelings about a place, and if their emotions are stirred by what he paints then Chris feels he has achieved something.

Chris's first introductions to the grand designs of the landscape didn't come from Oxfordshire's rolling pastures and meandering Thames of his youth, but trips 'up-north' to Lancashire. The promise of a sighting of Blackpool Tower from the top of Pendle Hill if he was a good boy...a visit from one of Pendle's notorious witches if he wasn't...He can't remember ever seeing the tower, but he did have one or two nightmares!!! So the day trips from Burnley into the Dales and beyond have sown the seeds of affection Chris has for the countryside. Living in Sheffield has introduced Chris to the drama of the Peak District, he has spent many days on the brooding moors around the Derwent watershed, and the edges that run down to Chatsworth.

Within his paintings Chris tries to capture the atmosphere of the Landscape. There isn't the detail you might find in a traditional watercolour, but more of an impression. He likes to use bold colours and enjoys breaking the rules of painting by using the 'wrong' colours. Chris says that sometimes the most interesting effects come along purely by accident - "it's controlling those accidents which is the tricky bit!"

Ink on silk

Image size (excluding frame)

11.5" x 15.5" (29 x 39.5cm)

£195

'High Street Cumbria'

Ink on silk

Image size (excluding frame)

11.5" x 15.5" (29 x 39.5cm)

£195