Masham is a small town in Wensleydale and the last time I visited was when I went on an outdoor pursuits course with work some thirty years ago, our base was situated there. I have happy memories of the time we spent abseiling, canoeing and orienteering among other things. The place we stayed is now a luxury castle hotel, spa, cookery school and events venue and looks very posh.
We parked the car in the market square and set off on foot to have a look round when we came to a sign advertising Nolon Stacey's Gallery. I know of his work but didn't realise his gallery was in Masham so we popped in to take a look.
I've been looking for a picture of a hare for quite some time now and as Nolon Stacey specialises in both domestic and wild animals, I should have known that I'd find something I liked in his gallery. I have to say that I was spoilt for choice. I did find my hare picture, but it was one of several I could have brought home with me, along with a number of other wildlife pictures too.
My mum and dad gave us some money for our silver wedding anniversary last year and we knew we wanted to buy a picture with it, we've been saving it until the right picture came along. It's a limited edition print and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
I couldn't leave this one behind either, how cute is he? We spoke to Nolon about the choices we'd made and he told us that this one is modelled on a dog he had as a child.
I'm thrilled we stumbled upon the gallery and I'm sure we'll be back again in the future. The pictures just need framing now and then they can be hung.
I have a soft spot for hares and pencil sketches - that is a lovely picture (they both are) I am not surprised you will return to the gallery :)
ReplyDeleteI could have spent a fortune there, he's such a talented artist and there are many pictures which took my fancy.
DeleteThe first person who came to mind when I saw that picture was Hawthorn & look who has popped up with a comment.
DeleteI think hares are very popular with a lot of people just now.
Delete"Impulse buy" meets "Planned purchase"!
ReplyDeleteExactly. My purchases are usually considered, the money had been waiting in my purse until exactly the right thing came along.
DeleteI've never heard of the artist Jo but i do love both pictures,
ReplyDeletewhere will you hang them?
you will have to show us again once you have had them framed
I'm not sure where they'll go yet. I've been wanting something for above my bed but I'm not sure this is the right thing, I'm still looking out for something suitable.
DeleteLovely pictures
ReplyDeleteI think so. There were many others I was very tempted by.
DeleteThey are both lovely and such a wonderful gift to celebrate your silver wedding anniversary. You will look at them and think of a great day out as well as your parents.
ReplyDeleteThat's so true. I knew what I wanted to spend the money on and you're right, these pictures will bring lots of things to mind.
DeleteThe pictures are gorgeous ♥
ReplyDeleteThey are. I've been looking for a hare picture for some time and this one is exactly what I wanted.
DeleteWhat great pictures you chose. I love them both.
ReplyDeleteI was only looking for a hare picture but I couldn't leave the puppy behind, it looks just like Archie did when he was a pup.
DeleteI was in Fenwicks last year and saw a silver coloured statue of two hares I was very tempted to buy it. But I don't have a great deal of display space in this house. Love the pictures.
ReplyDeleteHares are very popular at the moment. I've got two silver coloured hare statues, I love them.
DeleteDear Jo
ReplyDeleteYou chose some beautiful pictures and how lovely that they are an anniversary present. There's something special and magical about hares, isn't there?
Best wishes
Ellie
I love hares, I'm not sure what it is about them, they just really appeal to me.
DeleteWonderful pictures, I especially like the second one. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThey puppy's so sweet, isn't it? I couldn't resist it.
DeleteThey're wonderful!!!
ReplyDeleteI love them both, I'm looking forward to getting them framed now.
DeleteWhat beautiful artwork, and so lucky to have found the gallery by chance........those pictures were obviously just waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteI think they were. I've seen Nolon Stacey's work in other galleries before but didn't realise he had his own gallery in Masham.
DeleteThe pictures are fabulous, Jo. I had to go and look at the site and just have to say "Wow!". Amazing work. Of course, the Cavalier pup just stole my heart. It's the spitting image of Rosie when she was a puppy! :o)
ReplyDeleteIt was fabulous looking around the gallery, I could have spent a fortune. The pup is so cute, isn't it? It looks like Archie too when he was a puppy.
DeleteWhat lovely prints! I too prefer to wait in making a purchase until I find the "perfect" thing, especially when it comes to money given as a gift. This is a skill I'm trying to instill in my kids who think that if receive money or a gift card, they MUST use it right away, even if nothing really strikes their fancy at the time.
ReplyDeleteHa ha, I know what you mean. Daniel's always been careful with money but it's only recently that Eleanor's started to realise the value of it. My mum and dad are pleased that we've bought something we really wanted with the money they gave us.
Deletewe got art work on our 25th anniversary, love yours
ReplyDeleteI think art is nice gift for a special celebration as it's something which can be kept.
DeleteI think it's utterly amazing that anyone can create something so lifelike using a pencil.
ReplyDeleteLove your choices.
Me too. The expressions which are captured are so true to life.
DeleteWhat lovely choices and lovely memories of your anniversary too!
ReplyDeleteThe hare picture is just what I'd been looking for, I'm really pleased with both of them.
DeleteOh my goodness. I love the puppyortrait! How sweet is that!?
ReplyDeletexxx
It is, isn't it? I hadn't gone in to the gallery expecting to purchase a puppy picture but I just couldn't resist.
DeleteI must admit I'd not heard of Nolan Stacey so was very pleased you included a link to his website... and what beautiful drawings were displayed on it.
ReplyDeleteI think both of your choices are lovely and you will get many happy moments from them once you've framed and hung them.
All the best Jan
He's such a talented artist, he really captures a true likeness in his work. I'm looking forward to getting them framed now so that I can see and enjoy them.
DeleteI love the hare pic. I popped a comment right at the top, as soon as I saw it, I thought I wish I'd seen that before we'd left as my good friend Hawthorn would love it. The dog one actually looks like Archie, especially if you look at the picture on your side bar of him sitting on the blanket. Great buys. Have a good weekend and take care.
ReplyDeleteThe puppy picture looks just like Archie did when he was a puppy. I really enjoyed looking around the gallery, there were many pictures that took my fancy that I could have brought home with me.
DeleteIt's such a treat to look around the gallery of an artist you like and be able to buy something to remember your silver wedding anniversary and your parents' kind gift. Meeting Nolan must have made the experience even more personal and special in the choices you made.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, it was lovely meeting Nolon, I think you can get a proper insight in to someone's work when you visit their gallery. I'll definitely treasure these pictures.
DeleteLovely pictures and the perfect thing to spend the money on :)
ReplyDeleteI knew straight away what I wanted to spend the money on, I've been waiting over a year to find a picture I liked so I'm glad I've finally found it.
DeleteLove those hares! Delightful pictures, Jo.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
I love them too, this picture was just what I was looking for.
DeleteIt was definitely waiting until you saw these. Those hares are so handsome. And I can see why you had to take the little dog home too!
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Both pictures just spoke to me, they were definitely the ones I were meant to have.
Delete