York Fine Arts

It is with tremendous sadness that we share the news of British figurative artist Dianne Flynn’s passing.

Dianne’s work is a joy to behold. Her scenes of children at play are both timeless and achingly nostalgic. Imbued with Romance, impressionistic verve and an uncommon eye for the effects and fluidity of natural light, Dianne gathered a multitude of collectors and admirers over the course of her long career.

Teacher, published author and a celebrated professional artist for over four decades, Dianne’s legacy will continue to flourish through all those who knew and loved her, and through the depth and span of her body of work.

We will deeply miss seeing Dianne’s beautiful paintings come and go here at the gallery, her work never failed to capture the essence of what it means to enjoy one’s life, to revel in its simple pleasures, like the long, temperate days of summer.

Dianne Flynn (1939-2024).

If you haven’t heard the exciting news already, we’re delighted to welcome the work of Rupert Aker to the gallery! 🥳

An impressionist painter with authentic passion and vision, Rupert conveys the experience and wonder of the natural landscape through each of his emotive paintings. Equipped with oils and palette knife, he aims to capture the effects of light on the land, working en plain air wherever possible.

Full of bright energy and and movement, we’ve fallen hard for these newest additions. Do visit his artist page on our website to see the full collection! ✨

Pictured:
1. ‘From Buckle Street’, oil on canvas, 30” x 20”, £750 (or £75/month over 10 months, interest-free with Own Art).

2. ‘Summer Bales’, oil on canvas, 44.5” x 27.5”, £1,250 (or £125/month over 10 months, interest-free with Own Art).

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📣 We are delighted to announce our first ever solo exhibition of work by much-loved pastel artist Ian Rawling, PS.

From curios to the conventional, cars to culinary delights, ‘Ian Rawling: Found and Familiar’ will showcase a spectacular selection of new work by this endlessly collectable, award-winning artist.

~ The exhibition opens at York Fine Arts on Friday 14th of June. ~

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Join us next Thursday for the VIP Preview of ✨Fresh Art Fair: Cheltenham 2024✨ from 5.30-9pm. We will be exhibiting through to Sunday, showcasing an exceptional collection of new work from some of the gallery’s most sought after artists, including British contemporary artist Terence Clarke.

🥂 Free complimentary tickets for each day are available upon request, so give us a message or an email to claim yours now. 🥂

We can’t wait to see you there!

Featured artwork: ‘Flowers in the Window, Chalki, Greece’ by Terence Clarke.

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Three appetisers from who will be joining us for Fresh: Art Fair Cheltenham this month. We’re really excited to see more at their stand and from their stable of artists at the fair from 26-28th of April:
1. “The Beatles”
2. “May Blossom”
3. “Flowers in the Window”

Like a memory, an impression, or a scene from a dream, ‘Sunset Reflections, Grand Canal, Venice’ by David Sawyer, RBA, reveals the transient magic of sundown.

Amid fine detail and intuitive, painterly flourishes, a romantic, yet enigmatic Venice emerges. A reflection of a vanishing moment in time.

David’s scene of Venice is currently featured in ‘Transitions’, which will run until Sunday, 24th March. See it now on the first floor of our lovely York gallery. All exhibition artwork is also available to view on our website.

‘Estuary II’ by Philip Hearsey.

Living and working in the immersive splendour of the Herefordshire countryside, Philip is inspired by the natural shapes and found objects of his home county.
~ ‘’The river flows, grasses move, trees make patterns, there are endless tiny events. Away from my desk or my workbench the time to absorb and reflect is stimulating and precious.’’

‘Estuary II’ is a signed and uniquely numbered bronze sculpture rotating on a burr oak base, from a series of variations. The piece is currently featured in our ‘Transitions’ exhibition and available to view on our website.

As the year begins to unfold, so too does our exhibition calendar for 2024.
Reflecting the growth, change and movement in the natural world, we begin with ‘Transitions’, a mixed exhibition featuring original paintings and sculpture.
The show will run from Friday 16 February - Sunday 24 March.

Bringing together a dynamic collection of work from some of YFA’s favourite artists, including David Sawyer, RBA, Philip Hearsey and Julian Mason, whose radiant ‘Stobb Dearg from the West Highland Way’ will feature.

The exhibition will be held on the first floor of our York gallery and will also be available to view online. Contact us for further details and keep an eye on our website and socials for updates.

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We would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Ian Rawling, who has been granted the Caran D’Ache award, while showing with the Pastel Society at their 125th annual exhibition, at the Mall Galleries in London.

Having been awarded the Schmincke Prize during his debut with the Pastel Society in 2023, Ian emerges as one of the UK’s most exciting pastel artists, taking the genre of contemporary realism to ever increasing heights.

Congratulations Ian! 🥂

From vintage boxing gloves to a precarious stack of macaroons, our collection of Ian’s extraordinary work is available to view and buy from our York gallery and on our website.

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A welcome dose of sea air, sunshine and vivid colour. Terence Clarke’s ‘Interior with White Poppies, La Marina’ flourishes and ripens before our eyes, proving the perfect remedy for a frosty January morning.

Visit 👉🏻 yorkfinearts.co.uk/artist-terence-clarke
and view our full collection of Terence’s work, from lush, vibrant still life to the sun dappled beaches of the Spanish and French coasts.

Happy Saturday and stay warm out there. 🪵❄️

With the end of 2023 fast approaching, we would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and joyous new year. 🥂

We can almost hear the toll of midnight in Michael John Ashcroft’s ethereal ‘Golden Light, Catedral de Seville’.

With exciting things on the horizon, we can’t wait to share all that 2024 brings.

The gallery is open today until 2pm. We are closed New Year’s Day and from the 2nd of January are open as usual, seven days a week from 10-5.

We look forward to welcoming you all in the new year. 🍾🎊

We would like to take the opportunity to thank each and every one of our visitors, clients and supporters this year and wish you all a very merry Christmas.

In October, our beloved Director and Founder of York Fine Arts, Alan Bearnard Short, passed away. We have since been overwhelmed by the kindness of our patrons and the fond memories shared by all whose knew and loved Alan.
Father, grandfather, mentor and friend; ‘’The Boss’’. We continue to honour and grow Alan’s extraordinary legacy here at the gallery and look ahead, moving brightly into the future, as he taught us to do through his indefatigable positivity.

However you spend it, we hope your festive season is filled with joy, in warm remembrance of those who are no longer with us and in anticipation, of all the happy memories yet to be made.

🎄✨

Pictured: ‘Sunset on Hill of Kettlewell’ by Daniel Van Der Putten. Currently featured in our ‘Modern Masters’ exhibition.

It’s not too late to give the gift of Fine Art this Christmas 🎁

✨ With this mind, we give you our very favourite 7 under 7. ✨Swipe to find seven hidden gems under £700.

1. ‘Fresh from the Garden’ by Alan Smith. Original oil painting on panel, 12’’ x 12’’. £695.
2. ‘Bag of Clementines’ by Ian Rawling. Signed, limited edition print, 15’’ x 10’’. £85.
3. ‘Shoreline Shadows I’ by Philip Hearsey. Bronze Sculpture, 6’’ x 2.5’’ x 5’’. £575.
4. ‘The Moorings’ by Jay Nottingham. Original oil painting on panel, 12’’ x 12. £685.
5. ‘Sabah’ by Kitty Lambton. Print, 20’’ x 28’’. £70.
6. ‘Marble’ by Raymond Campbell. Original oil painting on panel, 3’’ x 3’’. £245.
7. ‘Moonlight Reflections, Lakeland’ by Andrew Grant Kurtis. Original oil painting on canvas, 5’’ x 7’’. £485.

Our last day for shipments within the UK will be Tuesday, 19 December. For those wishing to collect last minute purchases, the gallery will remain open until noon on 24 December.

See you soon! 🎄🎁🔔

Manchester Central here we come !

✨ Join us at Stand 305 from tomorrow at Manchester Art Fair 2023. ✨

Drawing from a wealth of talent amongst the gallery’s represented artists, we will be exhibiting a vibrant contemporary selection of original paintings and sculpture.

Contact us, see our website or previous posts for all information regarding the event.

We simply cannot wait to see you there!

…one week to go!

We will be exhibiting at Manchester Art Fair for the second time this year. Located in the beautiful Manchester Central Convention Complex, you can find us at Stand 305 from the 17-19 of November.

Great art and a good buzz guaranteed! ✨

Join us at Manchester Art Fair 2023, from the 17th-19th of November.

You’ll find us at Stand 305 at Manchester Central.

We’re counting down the days!

✨ For further details, visit our website, check previous posts or send us a message. ✨

In anticipation of our return to Manchester Art Fair this November, we look back fondly on the 24 hour transformation of our stand space.
With a dash of caffeine and a healthy dose of Yorkshire Can-Do spirit, swipe to see a slice of York Fine Arts in the heart of Manchester. 💙🤍

We can’t tell you how excited we are to be returning in a few short weeks to this friendly, invigorating and uniquely Northern art fair.

You can find us at Stand 305 from the 17th-19th of November at Manchester Central.

It is with great excitement that we announce our return to Manchester Art Fair this year. 🔔

From the 17-19 November, find us at Manchester Central, showcasing a handpicked selection of original paintings and sculpture from Stand 305.

A true highlight of the arts events season, we are thrilled to be returning this year and can’t wait for you to see what we have in store!

Opening times for the event are as follows:

Friday 17 November 17:00-21:00 (Preview)
Saturday 18 November 10:00-18:00
Sunday 19 November 10:00-16:00

For any further details, please see our website or contact us directly.

It is with the greatest sadness that we share the news of our Director Alan Short’s recent passing. With incomparable dedication, Alan offered a warm welcome, engaging conversation and a firm handshake to hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years as he passionately shared the joys of fine art. York Fine Arts and you, its supporters, were truly one of his life’s greatest pleasures.

Alan built so many long-lasting relationships with our clients, artists and neighbours over the years and we appreciate that some may wish to personally pay their respects. As such, his family have published details of the funeral arrangements to open the celebration of his life and legacy to all who wish to do so.

The funeral service will take place at York Crematorium on Wednesday, the 25th of October 2023 at 11:00am. In a tribute to Alan’s love of York Fine Arts and his decades of devoted leadership, the funeral cortege will pass and briefly pause at the gallery at approximately 10:00am. All are invited to join as we take this opportunity to bid farewell to Alan as he leaves the gallery for the last time.

We thank you for your support during this challenging time but very much hope Alan’s positivity, enthusiasm and extraordinary legacy will remain a light to all. ✨

One of our Fine Art Favourites this summer, Gallery Director Philip Short tells us why ‘Lemon and Sage’ by Caroline Richardson is one of his top picks this season.

‘’Reminiscent of Vermeer’s interiors, a classic and cool composition is offset by fine subtlety. Caroline’s soft focus enables the scene to sneak up on the viewer, enveloping the senses and drawing us in to an enchanting, perfectly assembled world.’’

Discover our thoughts and Five Fine Art Favourites every month on our website. For all the latest gallery news, acquisitions and upcoming events, sign up to our monthly newsletter and never miss a thing.

The incomparable ‘Margot’ by steel sculptor Leon Leigh.

Infinitely impassioned by the action of flame to metal, Leon uses no foundry. Preferring to forge each of his pieces himself using the naked flame, with each sculpture born a distinct original.

‘’No mountain profile in Lakeland arrests and excites the attention more than that of Langdale Pikes’’
~Alfred Wainwright

Suzie Emery’s ‘Langdale Pikes and Great Langdale Beck’ captures the Romanticism of the Lakes with a subtle, softly unfolding scene. Her technique and use of acrylic paint lends the piece a pleasingly weathered feel, reminiscent of the etchings used to illustrated Wainwright’s beloved Pictorial Guide to the Lakes.

One of two new pieces by Suzie to arrive at the gallery, be sure to visit our website’s Recently Acquired Page to discover the latest artwork arrivals.

The perfect remedy for the post bank holiday blues, Mike Hall’s winsome, evocative ‘Lunch Table with a View of the College’ offers a blissful retreat.

Based on St David’s School For Girls in Ashford, Surrey, Mike’s quintessentially British view is complete with a passing sailing boat, drifting leisurely by.

🍃 Visit our website to take a closer look at Mike’s available work, including ‘Lunch Table with a View of the College’.

As race goers fill the streets of York this Ebor Festival, we can think of no grander an opportunity to unveil Stuart Herod’s magnificent rendering, of retired champion thoroughbred Baaeed.

This sensitive, finely detailed and ultimately knowing portrait, makes for a prized acquisition for racing enthusiasts and fine art collectors alike.

Visit our website for details or find us on Low Petergate in the heart of York, less than a five minute walk from York Minster.

To all those soaking up the sun and excitement at York racecourse this year - best of luck! 🐎

With just over one week to go and a handful of breathtaking landscape paintings available, view ‘Clare Haley: Light of Yorkshire’ on the first floor of our York gallery now.

Discover Yorkshire’s unbroken wild landscapes, populated only by a fence post or two, amidst rolling moorland and vast, turbulent skies.
Clare’s deep understanding of this poetic land is clear to see.

All artwork from the show can be viewed on our website. Contact us for enquires and additional information.

The exhibition will end on Sunday 20th of August.
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The sublime ‘Palazzo Vernier Contarini, Grand Canal, Venice’ by Royal Society of British Artists member, David Sawyer.

The very best of modern British Impressionism, here David captures a timeless Venice, enriched with natural light and the shimmering reflections of the Grand Canal.

View our full collection of David’s work on our website, or in our York gallery, situated in the heart of the city.

‘Ruby’s First Lesson’ by Dianne Flynn, an exquisite new acquisition now available to view on our website and in the gallery.

Dianne’s work captures moments of childhood wonder and captivation beautifully, invoking a timeless quality to each of her pieces.

If you would like to explore more of Dianne’s work, you can do so on our website. Visit our ‘Recently Acquired’ page for all new work, including ‘Ruby’s First Lesson’.

Happy Yorkshire Day! 🙌🏽 Is there any better way to celebrate God’s Own Country than be celebrating a Yorkshire artist with a cuppa? We think not.

Clearly Living North Magazine are on the same page, as they’ve just published a special feature on Yorkshire artist Clare Haley in their September issue, available on stands now. So go on. Get yourself a copy, make yourself a brew (Yorkshire Tea, of course) and soak up all that this top rate county has to offer. ✨

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Light and dark, storms and sunbursts—after months of eager anticipation, Clare Haley: Light of Yorkshire’ is now officially OPEN! 🥳

Come by the gallery to walk the wild landscape and fully appreciate the dynamic nature of Clare’s newest collection of paintings—no walking boots required (unless you want to, of course). 🍃
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Five days to go…

‘Clare Haley: Light of Yorkshire’ opens this Friday, 29th of July.

Weaving narratives of the changeable northern landscape, Clare’s work is a response to light and the elements. These are the sacred wild places, that exist between reality and impression.

Featured: detail from ‘Winding Valleys’, which will be shown as part of the exhibition.
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