News Articles Archive - Somerville Arts

26 July, 2023

Cat Drawings and Paintings

Five ‘Cat’ paintings have emerged from 100 drawings completed by by Ian during 2021 as an exercise reflecting cat idiom ideas. A large selection of…

26 July, 2023

Ilkley Painting Complete

Ilkley having been finished last year is now available in print form. A limited availability has been on sale through the Art Works in Otley…

24 July, 2023

Ian Middleton Resumes Work

The last 15 months have seen an interruption in Ian’s output due to an unfortunate accident which led to mobility problems. With one final piece…

22 March, 2022

Somerville Gallery and Studio Combine

The Somerville Gallery has now been incorporated within Ian’s studio building at Burley in Wharfedale. The detached two storey premises at 31, Southway offer a…

30 November, 2021

New Lower Wharfedale Print Launch

In concert with local newspaper editorial, the much awaited panorama work covering Otley, Burley and Ilkley is now available in print form. The limited edition…

28 April, 2021

Somerville Gallery Reopens

The Gallery is now open again on Fridays (10.00am to 4.00pm) and Saturdays (10am to 3.30pm). New exhibits are on show and should anyone like…

4 March, 2021

Ilkley Gazette cover Ian’s Big Screen Event

A very good article dealing with last week’s launch of Ian’s work on the Bradford Big Screen in Centenary Square thought March and April.

26 February, 2021

Art Talent celebrated on Bradford’s Big Screen

A very supportive article published today by the telegraph and Argus in Bradford.

30 January, 2021

Burley Drawings for Community Trust

Ian has been working on adapting many of his original images and sketches used in the production of Burley in Wharfedale painting into a digital…

14 January, 2021

Trust in Yorkshire

Ian has completed the Yorkshire Revisited adaptation to accommodate the inclusion of twelve National Trust properties in the region. We invite any interested parties to…

12 January, 2021

Yorkshire Dales Icons

As with Otley we are adding the inside brochure summary of all the icons included in the painting. This can be found with the main…

12 January, 2021

Otley Icons Revealed

After many requests to identify the various icons displayed within the Otley painting, we are publishing the inside of the brochure for website users reference.

11 January, 2021

The Yorkshire Dales

Before the final painting was completed, sixteen canvas tiles measuring 12”x10” were painted individually from the original drawing. By combining these images together on a…

9 January, 2021

Otley

The painting was finally completed in November 2020 with a number of minor changes from the original drawing prepared in 2019 and is today formally…

7 January, 2021

Ilkley

The drawing for Ilkley was started in 2019 and the painting constructed on canvas is still in the process of being finished.Today we post an…

6 January, 2021

Limited prints of Burley, Otley and Ilkley

Prints of the original drawings of the three paintings are available. Only a small amount of such prints are to be released and enquiries for…

5 January, 2021

Gallery Closure

The Somerville Gallery in Otley will be closed in life with the Government new Covid rules. Anyone wishing to discuss any queries on the telephone…

1 January, 2021

Coronavirus inspired painting released

Prints are now available of the new ‘Out of the Woods’ painting by Ian which pays homage to the struggles encountered by the deadly virus…

5 December, 2020

National Trust Properties in Yorkshire

Ian has completed a painting featuring all Yorkshire based National Trust properties in response to their interest in marketing a bespoke Yorkshire Revisited print through…

1 September, 2020

Garden View From a Window

Originally completed in May 2018 this abstract painting is now available in print form. Only 50 limited edition prints measuring 20”x16’ are to be released…

19 March, 2020

Somerville Gallery and the Coronavirus

Due to the current Coronavirus situation we have taken the sensible precaution to suspend formal opening hours of the Somerville Gallery in Otley. Whilst the…

16 March, 2020

Yorkshire Dales Painting

The Dales painting has now finally been completed in all it’s colourful glory and an extraordinary limited edition print has been reproduced. This is probably…

1 February, 2020

A Moonlit Lane

Ian has just completed an interesting commission for a reproduction piece of the famous Leeds painter, John Atkinson Grimshaw. The work is an exact replica…

10 January, 2020

Polar Bears 3

Oils on Canvas 20”x20” The painting was completed in January 2020. It is executed in oils on canvas and is the third release in the…

3 October, 2019

Ilkley Drawing

The Ilkley limited print drawing has today been released at £140 with a maximum of only 95 on offer. The work by Ian comes with…

8 July, 2019

Work has began on a dedicated Ilkley painting after considerable demand

This will sit well with the ones for Burley and Otley. The detail drawing is now underway and Ian is attempting to draw the viewer…

1 July, 2019

Otley Drawing

The Otley limited print drawing has today been released at £140 with a maximum of only 95 on offer. The work by Ian comes with…

26 June, 2019

NEW DALES DRAWING FINISHED – A COLLECTORS ITEM

Ian has now completed the amazing drawing for the Yorkshire dales project. The composition embraces a massive sixteen area coverage ranging from Sedberg in the…

26 June, 2019

Yorkshire Dales Drawing

Sixteen separate 12”x10” inter connecting canvasses have been meticulously drawn by Ian, each one representing a different region of the Yorkshire Dales. From these, prior…

13 May, 2019

Yorkshire Dales Project

The first detailed sketch has now been completed for a section of the new Yorkshire Dales Painting now underway by Ian. It features the three…

7 May, 2019

New Opening Times of the Gallery

With immediate effect we are changing the opening times to Thursday 10.00am to 4.00pm, Friday the same and Saturday 10.00am to 3.30pm. In the short…

7 May, 2019

New Polar Bears Project

Ian has been working hard on developing four new pictures ahead of an endangered animal exhibition which will launch in the summer. Polar bears are…

1 January, 2019

Spanish Boats Sailing

The commissioned painting in oils on canvas board measuring 20”x16” has just been completed. It is based upon a typical Mediterranean coastal boating scene to…

18 December, 2018

Burley Library Sets up Painting Exhibition

A fantastic exhibition of the Burley Painting has been put together at the library in the village. The Library is awaiting refurbishment after which the…

18 December, 2018

Launch of the painting “Burley in Wharfedale’

A very successful launch of the painting “Burley in Wharfedale’ took place at the switch on of the village lights at 4.30pm. This is the…

28 November, 2018

Burley Painting Finished

The much awaited launch of the painting will take place at the switch on of the Burley in Wharfedale Christmas lights event in the Queens…

15 November, 2018

THE BURLEY IN WHARFEDALE PAINTING COMPETITION

30 October, 2018

Burley Painting in Final Stages

About two weeks work remain to finish this exciting project which is still on schedule for official launch and display at the celebrated Christmas lights…

5 October, 2018

Burley Painting On Schedule

The oil paint is now being applied to the four foot canvas displaying the colour balances which are now beginning to emerge. Ian has made…

2 October, 2018

Ian Makes a Presentation to The Menston Art Club

The club which has recently enjoyed its fiftieth anniversary was full to capacity to hear Ian speak on the importance of developing a professional and…

27 September, 2018

Ian Enjoys a Morning at Ghyll Royd

Thursday morning saw Ian and Rhiannon attend the school to make two group presentations on art and the Burley painting. He was indebted to the…

28 August, 2018

Large Canvas of Burley Painting Unveiled at Show

The oil paint has now been applied to a small section of the 4ft canvas which gave interested people at the show an exclusive preview…

27 August, 2018

Burley Painting on Display at Queens Hall

Ian’s Drawing for the legacy painting of the the village will be on display at Burley Show in the Queens Hall between 2.00pm and 5.00pm…

20 August, 2018

Finished Drawing of Burley

Ian has now finished the drawing on a 3ft canvas which will remain as an exhibition piece. As he paints, there may be slight alterations…

17 August, 2018

Thanks for saying hello!

The event went well over the two day period with a considerable number of visitors to the stand. Most times Rhiannon and Ian who were…

10 August, 2018

Art Seen in Progress at the Ilkley Art Show

10 August, 2018

Join us at the Ilkley Art Show

5 June, 2018

Whilst in Gulluk!

Whilst in Gulluk, Turkey this week, Ian had the pleasure of presenting a fun painting to a local chef called Janus. The resemblance in character…

29 May, 2018

Not Just Hockney Exhibition

A two week exhibition opened today in Shipley Library Gallery dedicated to professional artists from Bradford who are self taught. The standard was exceptional and…

24 May, 2018

Exciting Art Project for Burley in Wharfedale

Following a meeting yesterday with Niccola Swan and Duncan Ault of the Burley Community Trust, Ian is now stepping up progress on a painting of…

22 May, 2018

Gallery Opening a Huge Success

With fabulous pre opening press coverage, around 200 visitors enjoyed a chance to see Ian’s showcased art and view the 1812 up close. With access…

9 May, 2018

1812 Tops The List Musically

As we reach the launch of Ian’s painting this week there is a timely reminder of how popular the score is with FM listeners!

3 May, 2018

Exhibition of Self Taught Professional Artists

This exhibition to be held at Shipley Library will run for two weeks from Saturday 26th May 2018 and will feature half a dozen of prints of…

30 April, 2018

Somerville Gallery Opening

We are delighted to announce that on Saturday 12th May 2018 we will be formally opening our Otley based gallery, dedicated to the work of…

30 April, 2018

1812 Completion

‘1812 ‘ by Ian Middleton One of Ian’s most highly original works is now set for release on 12th May 2018 when we open the…

In the Press

Royal Academy painting for Marie Curie auction

Royal Academy painting for Marie Curie auction John Hepworth representing the Charity received the oil painting by Ian for inclusion in the live auction at…

15 January, 2018

Not Just Hockney Website includes Ian Middleton

This website is an illustrated guide to professional artists past and present who were born, work, or have made their home, in what is now…

29 November, 2017

The Leeds Art & Photography Exhibition

Raises £26,000 for St Gemmas hospice This year Ian contributed towards this very worthy event where two of his limited edition prints of ‘Yorkshire’ and…

26 October, 2017

Leeds 17th Art Exhibition

The Exhibition in support of St Gemma hospice opened its doors at 10.00am this morning. 900 Works were on display and most were for sale.…

12 October, 2017

Somerville Arts announce Plans for Otley Gallery

Following our successful business working relationship with The Arts Works, Otley gallery and framing centre, we have agreed to take part of the premises at…

20 July, 2017

Royal Academy Auction 2017

The Ilkley Gazette and associated newspapers reported as follows For the second year in a row, professional artist Ian Middleton who works out of his…

27 May, 2017

The Art Works Otley Open New Gallery

After months of renovation and refurbishment The Art Works have moved into their new workspace and gallery, a beautiful grade II listed building in Courthouse…

31 March, 2017

Lady Kate Cotton Visits Ian’s Studio

Lady Kate Cotton called off at Ian’s studio in Burley along with John Hepworth to get a feel for his art in general and agree…

30 March, 2017

The Brain Game Leeds Features Yorkshire Print in Auction

A major Marie Curie Charity event was held at the Aspire Hotel in Leeds organised by the tireless, stalwart John Hepworth who is the Northern…

19 February, 2017

Ian Middleton Opens his Scottish House for Holiday Let

Ian Middleton Opens his Scottish House for Holiday Let Ian and Jayne have now decided to use their Scottish home in Dumfries and Galloway for…

18 October, 2016

Ian Middleton Turns 70 and Paints Monarch of the Glen

On the 27th October 2016 Ian celebrated his 70th birthday in style. His Scottish roots led him to enjoy a week long celebration entertaining 35…

29 June, 2016

Royal Academy / Marie Curie Auctions ‘Polar Bears’

The Royal Academy are holding the 25th Private View of The Summer Exhibition 2016 on Wednesday 13th July at Burlington House in support of Marie…

19 June, 2013

The Dalesman Magazine Feature Article on ‘Yorkshire’

Several pages of considerable editorial and a centre page spread photograph was given to Ian’s painting by the Dalesman. They flatteringly describe Ian as being…

20 December, 2012

Leonardo Exhibition Inspires Ian to Copy the Master

Ian and Jayne Middleton attended this special exhibition and both were overawed with one particular work on display. It was the ‘Lady with an Ermine’…

26 May, 2012

Prime Minister views Ian Middleton’s art

David Cameron recently visited the Ring O’Bells at Thornton, Bradford when he found time to both eat lunch and view the current art exhibition situated…

21 May, 2011

Somerville Arts releases limited Edition Prints

A decision has been taken to initially release up to a dozen limited edition prints covering Ian Middleton’s unique brand of original contemporary art. Ian…

21 May, 2011

Giclee Prints

All Somerville Arts prints are all produced by the use of the latest giclee (zhee-clay) technology. So what is giclee (zhee-clay) printing? This mechanism allows…

20 December, 2010

Christmas Paintings Commission

The Ring O’Bells Restaurant commissioned Ian to produce a series of varied Christmas oil paintings for the permanent seasonal collection. The results were very colourful…

24 May, 2010

Realism Explained

Realism in the visual arts and literature refers to the general attempt to depict subjects “in accordance with secular empirical rules,” as they are considered…

24 May, 2010

Futurism Explained

This is a modern art movement originating among Italian artists in 1909, when Filippo Marinetti’s first manifesto of futurism appeared, until the end of World…

24 May, 2010

Cubism Explained

Cubism was developed between about 1908 and 1912 in collaboration between Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque. Their immediate influences are said to be Tribal Art…

24 May, 2010

Abstract Art Explained

Abstract art uses a visual language of form, colour and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual…

24 May, 2010

Impressionism Explained

It began as a 19th century art movement derived from a loose association of the Paris based artists :- Frédéric Bazille (1841–1870) Gustave Caillebotte Frédéric…

24 May, 2010

Expressionism Explained

Originally expressionism was more of a cultural movement, specializing in poetry and painting, based in Germany at the beginning of the 20th century. It aimed…

19 May, 2010

Ian Middleton Figures in Major article of Yorkshire Life Magazine

The June 2010 edition of Yorkshire Life magazine covered the emerging new style of Ian Middleton. The article, extending to five colourful pages, adds further…

18 April, 2010

Ian Middleton’s work on permanent display at Ring O’Bells Restaurant in Thornton, Bradford

Ian Middleton was recently commissioned by the award winning restaurant to produce a series of canvasses aimed at complimenting the refurbishment of the main dining…

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