designs gallery and cafe

‘Out of Africa’ new paintings by John Threlfall

at Designs Gallery Castle Douglas

opening  Saturday 21^st March 2015

We are pleased to be opening a new exhibition of paintings by Rockcliffe wildlife artist John Threlfall, on Saturday 21^st March at Designs Gallery which were inspired by his recent visit to Africa.

John will show a portfolio of his sketches and give a short talk about his trip and the paintings in the exhibition on the morning of Saturday 21^st March at 11am.

 It was the fulfillment of a lifetime’s ambition, twice over, when Rockcliffe based wildlife artist John Threlfall visited South Luangwa National Park in Zambia back in October 2014, with pencil and sketchbook in hand.

John is a recent winner of the Swarovski Bird Artist of the Year Award but the chance to draw and paint Africa’s large mammals from life was a dream come true. This was in fact John’s second visit to South Luangwa in recent years and the results of both trips can be seen at Design’s Gallery.

It had taken over 50 years to get there so the determination to make the most of every single moment was burning strong. John travelled with the company  ArtSafari for whom he is an occasional tutor and guide, but on these occasions was free of all responsibilities and could just keep his head down and draw and draw; hippos, monkeys, baboons and birds around the riverside lodge or large cats, zebra, giraffe and elephants from the back of a vehicle in the park.

 

South Luangwa is one of the premier wildlife parks in Africa and though September and October are among the hottest months to visit, it does mean that the wildlife congregates around the few remaining areas of water to be had, the fast shrinking lagoons and the Luangwa River itself. Such large concentrations in confined areas make for some wonderful opportunities to observe Zambia’s iconic wildlife.

John is well renowned for his wildlife paintings, particularly in Dumfries and Galloway where many will know his paintings of shoreline birds. This exhibition, while immersed in a different, African landscape, manages to capture the essence, light and movement of the natural world for which his paintings are known and loved. An exhibition not to be missed.

‘Out of Africa’ runs from 21^st March -9^th May 2015 at Designs Gallery  – opening times Mon-Sat 9.30-5pm. Talk 11am Saturday 21^st March.