DALE landscape artist Ann Whitfield is celebrating the reopening of Bowlees Visitor Centre’s exhibition space with a display of her work.
While the centre re-opened in April, the upstairs space had to remain closed until further easing of Covid-18 restrictions last month.
Now people visiting the centre can view a large selection of her North Pennines landscapes uniquely recreated in ink and watercolour.
Mrs Whitfield had been due to exhibit her work at Bowlees last year but it had to be postponed when the centre was forced to close.
The artist, who was a founding member of Teesdale Art Network, said it was great to have her work out in public again.
She said: “I have always been doing the open studios and I have loved it.
“I love meeting people and I like that connection.
“It is the interaction that I really enjoy – that connection between the viewer, the painting and me.”
The artist began painting soon after turning 40 and initially created flowers using acrylics.
She said: “I have always enjoyed doing creative things but I only started painting when my mum retired and we painted together.”
It was after moving to Barnard Castle 20 years ago that she turned professional and took inspiration from the Teesdale landscape for her work.
About three years ago she turned to watercolour, partly out of environmental concerns about using plastic-based acrylics.
Mrs Whitfield said: “I love working with watercolour because it is more challenging.
“With acrylic you control the paint, with watercolour you have to co-operate with the paint.”
Among the works that people can view are scenes of Kirk Carrion, Summerhill Force and Cronkley Fell, as well as studies of the famous juniper trees near High Force.
For more information visit annwhitfieldart.co.uk.
