Contributing artist 2020 
John Stanger-Moore

‘The Roman Fort at Burgh by Sands’

Artist’s reconstruction of the fort based on archaeological findings published by the Cumberland and Westmorland Antiquarian and Archaeological Society and showing the location of St Michael’s (12th c.) church on the site of the 2nd c. Roman fort of Aballava. Greatly helped by Dr D Woolliscroft, Director of the Roman Gask Project, University of Liverpool. In the painting: The grey modern road, adjacent to the church and the white cottage, leads to Carlisle to the left and to the right, through Burgh by Sands, to Drumburgh, Portcarlisle and Bowness on Solway.
 
 

‘Square Rainbow’

Painted many years ago, but seems appropriate just now with all the rainbows appearing in local windows. Following the present trend to write a commentary accompanying works of modern art may I propose that ‘Square Rainbow’ is:
‘The superimposition of man’s synthetic aptitude in the format of a two-dimensional cubist structure upon Nature’s predilection for curves as archetypified by the rainbow, while synchronously vouchsafing recognition of our indebtedness to the kaleidoscope of colours that She (Nature) affords us.’
Not really the case! It was originally painted simply as a colourful tile to brighten up a plain white wall. However, I found it rather harsh and softened it with the random diagonals. Thus ‘Square Rainbow’ was born and, very much with tongue in cheek, I wrote the description above, bearing in mind the Telegraph’s comment on some of the exhibits in the Turner Prize, that the longer the description the worse the art!
 
 

‘Priory Gatehouse Wetheral’

Painted from quite a few photos taken over the autumn 2017 and winter 2018 when most of the foliage had died back. The painting used several of the photos taken, so as to enhance the view of both the priory and the church.
 
 

‘Great Spotted Woodpecker’ (male)

Birds are not renowned for helpfully posing for artists, who must therefore resort to photographs. Using several photos and a general understanding of their anatomy has to suffice. As my wife is a licensed bird ringer, I have had the great advantage of really close up contact with birds. In the case of the great spotted woodpecker, we rescued a concussed young one, some years ago, and after a short time of hand feeding him were able to pass him onto  Knox Wood, wild animal rescue centre, who could provide a larger aviary until he was ready to be released back into the wild.