Wirral art: Couple put summer holidays in the frame

Sep 19 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News

A COUPLE have teamed up again in an exhibition chronicling their summer holidays.

Artists Elaine Adams and Mark Power drew inspiration from their holidays around the coast and landscape of Cornwall, Snowdon and Wirral.

Elaine works in felt while Mark paints with acrylic.

Now the husband and wife team from Liverpool are holding a joint exhibition, entitled from ‘Time and Tide’, at Staacks gallery in West Kirby.

Textile artist Elaine, who did a graphic design degree, said: “The beauty, drama and diversity of the British landscape is represented in this exhibition through paint and textiles.

“It explores how our land and coast continues to be shaped over time through the colossal energy and indifference of natural forces.

“The contrast of the peacefulness of the landscape and sea alongside its untamed wildness and intensity is captured within these works.

“We tend to travel the British Isles to capture the beauty of the landscape and coast.

“I use natural fibres in my work such as silk, linen an flax.

“The exhibition title reflects the changing of time, from the old saying ‘Time and tide wait for no man’ meaning that no one is powerful enough to stop the march of time.”

Elaine is a full time artist while Mark, who has a fine art degree, paints part-time – juggling between his job as a university registrar at John Moores.

Elaine, a former teacher, added: “This is a whole new collection which we began working on in June.

“We start by working in our sketch pads doing drawings, and putting together colour notes, references to texture and senses of smell – all whilst sitting on a beach or on the mountain side.

“We then go back to the studio to develop it further and create the final piece.

“It can be over several days working on the final pieces but working on different several pieces at the same time.

“I hold workshops at the Bluecoat occasionally.”

This is their second exhibition at Staacks together with 20 pieces in the collection along with a several artists books put together by Eileen, which comprises sketches, watercolours and fibres.

Framed art pieces range from £55 to £495, and the artist books are priced £35.

‘Time and Tide’ is on display until the end of the month.