Art and artists

Originally from Yorkshire, Marilyn has been painting in the Lake District for many years.  Mountains are for her a real inspiration, in all their changing moods.

She started painting watercolours in Staithes, on the North Yorkshire coast, where she developed her loose technique. It was here she studied with the late Fred Williams.    Bringing up a family and then running a guest house in the Lake District left little opportunity for painting, but now there is more time to take in this wonderful area, with all it’s potential for inspiring that painting with atmosphere and feeling.

Mountains and fells always draw her attention, especially when there is a break in the cloud, giving magic to the landscape.  No landscape ever looks the same twice, so there is always plenty to do.  Gentle colours and subtle tones are very much her style but the dramatic skies are a constant challenge.

Marilyn painting

When Marilyn moved to the Lake District, she climbed and walked the fells whenever possible  – sketching all the time, and taking photographs.  She joined the Ambleside and District Art Society and worked outdoors with them.  The Society has a well-known and select band of professional artists, and they are all very generous with their knowledge, encouraging the ‘lesser mortals’ along the way.  It was here she met her friend Jill Aldersley, and subsequently studied with her. Others have also been a great inspiration helping Marilyn to develop her own style.
 
Marilyn has used different media, but usually comes back to watercolour, preferring the effects that are so right for this very special area.  She has attended courses with Ashley Jackson in Holmfirth, Yorkshire and David Bellamy in Wales.

She now lives and paints in Ambleside, exhibiting at the local exhibitions – Ambleside  (of course), Windermere, Milnthorpe, Staveley and the Cumbria Local Arts Exhibition in Grasmere.  She has also exhibited at the Lake Artists Society Exhibition.  She was a prize-winner in the exhibition of the British Society of Painters and showed her work at the British Watercolour Society exhibition in Ilkley.   These usually take place in the summer months, though the Ambleside exhibition is held during October. Next year, sadly, it leaves the well-known venue  (the Methodist Hall).   Watch this space for the new venue!

Marilyn has her own website which displays her work, offering prints of some of her paintings, and original paintings which are currently for sale.   She also sells her own cards.

She has done many commissions – these often come via her website.  People hoping for something special have talked with Marilyn on the phone, having seen a painting on her website. They can describe their ideas and choose a style, mood or colour- range they would like her to follow. You can ring Marilyn on 015394 33548

Marilyn’s work can be seen in the OSHY Gallery in Ambleside  (down the slope – opposite Bell’s Chemist)  and in Wilf’s in Staveley.   There is also work in the Art and Heritage Centre at Farfield Mill, Sedbergh.

Words and pictures courtesy of Marilyn Tordoff