‘Yorkshire’ goes to print ahead of the official launch in February 2013.  Ian Middleton has released images of his final version of ‘Yorkshire’. With so many existing customers and website followers wanting prints for Christmas he has released a small portion of the limited edition Giclees. ‘Response’ he says ‘Has been amazing and I am looking forward to early next year when the press editorials and advertising campaigns kick start the issue properly’.

The style is very much his own and could be seen as a brand new sub genre in this style of painting. He refers to it as Geometric Abstract Expressionism.

The colours are vibrant and capture the county in a kaleidoscopic abstract way introducing an intriguing puzzle of the parts which make up the places and things that are Yorkshire. Look at the painting  and see for yourself.

Yesterday saw the launch of Ian Middleton’s Glasgow Boys Exhibition at the Ring O’Bells ‘Art of Dining’ restaurant in Thornton Bradford. Whilst it was not possible to accommodate all thirty pieces of work in the collection, the balance not on display will be rotated over the next two months to allow all customers to view the entire exhibition. Apparently, the new exhibition caused quite a stir and owners Clive and Ann Preston were delighted at the highly positive reviews they were receiving on opening night! A photo montage of part of the exhibition has been generated to provide would be visitors with an idea of what they might expect when dining over the next couple of months.

The Ring O’Bells restaurant in Thornton, Bradford will be previewing part of Ian Middleton’s  ’Glasgow Boys Exhibition’ from today. It will form part of their ‘Art Of Dining Experience’ program for 2012 and will run for approximately two months. Due to the extensive size of the exhibition (there are approaching thirty paintings) there will be a rotating display to ensure that all customers of the award winning restaurant, will have an opportunity to view the complete collection of work. A preview brochure is available for customer distribution and individual painting leaflets can be ordered by those dining.

Ian has released images of his Bastien-Lepage painting which is being created to be included in the Glasgow Boys exhibition. Two paintings are being produced in differing sizes one of which is a result of a commission. From an art point of view it is always interesting to see how a painting develops and finally turns into the finished product. Not all artists are keen to expose their work to such naked scrutiny on an ongoing basis but Ian is quite happy to demonstrate to the viewers the degree of work and care taken in each product he creates. As a further point of interest Ian reminds us that all his paintings carry a glossy colour leaflet explaining the background of the work in detail and where appropriate similar images as in this case, charting their construction. Some further examples of Ian’s work in course of development can be seen in the website’s ‘WORK IN PROGRESS’ SECTION.

Ian has released the sketch of ‘Seashore Roses’ by E A Hornel. Originally this was painted in 1907 and Ian has decided to add this particular painting to the Glasgow Boys collection after receiving critical acclaim for his rendition of ‘Music of the Woods’. The painting will be 40×30 inches in size and the sketch corresponds to this on the actual canvas. The drawing provides a valuable insight into the detail required to match Hornel’s fantastic colourist execution where complicated patterns were woven so well into the overall structure. You can follow Ian’s rendition by accessing ‘WORK IN PROGRESS‘

An interpretation of ‘Kildonan’ by Glasgow Boy, James McLachlan Nairn has been released adding to the ever progressing Glasgow Boys Exhibition. The original was completed in 1886 and is a strong testament to the colourful landscape skills of Nairn. A perfect summer’s day enjoyed by two school boys by the sea is supremely captured.

Ian Has released a reproduction of ‘The Swan Lake’ the original of which was painted by Hornel in 1903. The painting itself is now understood to be in the hands of a private collector and Ian’s version will be included in the up and coming ‘Glasgow Boy’s Exhibition. You can view the cumulative collection by accessing  http://somervillearts.com/work/glasgow-boys-exhibition/ on the web site.

Ian has released a copy of James Paterson’s ‘Craigdarroch Looking Down Glencairn’  which is the latest in the Glasgow Boys series to be included in his forthcoming exhibition. The original Paterson work was completed in 1891 and was quite a departure in style and colour to that of his friends within the Glasgow School circle. His treatment of vibrant colours to create a magical autumnal setting is stunning. Paterson was mainly a landscape artist and lived a large period of his life in this area where he based the painting. You can access the exhibition content progress through ‘Glasgow Boys Exhibition‘

Two canvas board sketches in the style of E A Hornel have been released on to the website in ‘Work in Progress‘. These will form oil interpretative works ready in the Autumn.

His individual technique of thick and rapid strokes suggests rather than defines the texture and colour of flowers. He held a successful exhibition every year in Glasgow. He put importance on the beauty of colour, decorative effect, carrying power and the natural and realistic effect of the flowers themselves. His best work was done around 1889-92, mainly pink yellow and red roses. It is presumed that the reproduction work executed by Ian figured around this period.