back to blogBefore flying out to Canada, I dropped off a new collection of work with Emily at Studio Vault for her anniversary exhibition. It’s hard to believe, but it’s been ten years since she opened the gallery—and in that time, it has gone from strength to strength. While other galleries I worked with were sadly closing their doors last year, Emily was expanding hers.
Studio Vault isn’t your typical gallery space. It’s small, yes—but beautifully curated and packed with unique work, especially jewellery. As an artisan jeweller herself, it makes perfect sense that Emily’s space is filled with distinctive, irresistible pieces. But it doesn’t stop there. She has an exceptional eye for handcrafted work, from stained glass to ceramics, and everything in between. It’s a rich, eclectic mix—unified by her unmistakable love of colour.
That love of colour spills into the paintings too. Alongside dramatic landscapes, she showcases bold abstracts and vibrant pieces that burst with energy.
I have had two solo exhibitions with Emily over the years and I love having my work with her so you can imagine how thrilled I was to be one of just a handful of artists invited to exhibit as part of her ten-year anniversary show. Emily doesn’t usually set themes for exhibitions—she encourages artists to create from instinct and inspiration. But for this show, I wanted to reflect her joyful celebration of colour. The dramatic skies are still there—of course—but this new collection leans into lightness, vibrancy, and the spirit of celebration.
Six new paintings will be on show at the gallery over the summer. You can see the full collection and read more about the inspiration about each piece below.
The collection
Threads of Light is a striking statement piece measuring 105 x 105 cm, presented in a simple white wooden tray frame. Painted with oils, cold wax, and gold leaf, it invites reflection on the layered beauty and enduring stories of the land.
Billowing spring skies drift above soft, horizontal layers of land and water, their reflections captured in cool blues, warm pinks, and delicate golds. The layered bands evoke the slow passage of time—each line a quiet trace of memory and place. Woven through these bands are two lines of gold: one horizontal, gently echoing the land’s rhythm; the other vertical, piercing the calm—together creating a subtle intersection of light and history within the landscape.
To accompany the larger statement piece, a series of four smaller paintings offers intimate glimpses of the landscape as daylight fades. Each work captures a distinct viewpoint—over water, down the valley, towards the horizon, and across the moor—tracing the subtle shifts of light and colour as spring edges into evening.
Delicately layered with oils, mixed media, and gold leaf on Arches Huile paper, these pieces evoke the quiet transition of time, inviting reflection on the enduring presence of the land bathed in its final glow. Together, they extend the themes of Threads of Light, weaving a rich tapestry of memory, atmosphere, and place.
Each painting measures 30 x 30 cm (46 x 46 cm framed) and is presented in a hand-painted St Ives frame, enhancing their quiet elegance and contemplative tone.
As the sun dips below the horizon, a gentle stillness blankets the scene. Soft pink clouds float across a dimming sky, their hues reflected perfectly in the calm waters below. A slender thread of gold weaves quietly through the composition, capturing the fleeting warmth of the day’s final light. This piece explores the delicate dance between sky and water, where reflections hold memories in suspended time.
The valley unfolds beneath a sky brushed with soft sunset pinks. Clouds drift gently, while the land’s undulating folds catch and cradle the fading light. A delicate golden line weaves through the landscape, inviting the viewer to wander slowly down the valley and embrace the serene passage from day into night.
The horizon glows with the gentle flush of dusk, where sky meets earth in a seamless blend of pastel tones. Wisps of cloud stretch horizontally, softening the boundary between light and shadow. A fine golden streak cuts across the scene, evoking the last breath of daylight lingering just beyond reach. This painting captures the quiet anticipation held in that elusive moment when day gives way to night.
Misty moorland extends beneath billowing clouds, suffused with soft pastel light. The interplay of cool blues and warm pinks creates an atmosphere both serene and alive. A thread of gold winds through the scene, suggesting pathways woven through time and memory. This piece reflects the moorland’s timeless spirit, bathed in the gentle glow of evening.
Carried on the Wind is a striking statement piece measuring 90 x 120 cm, framed in a simple white wooden tray frame. Painted with oils, cold wax, and gold leaf, the work captures a sweeping, elevated view of a landscape reminiscent of the Yorkshire countryside.
The sky takes centre stage—vast and luminous—with billowing clouds that seem to drift effortlessly. Below, the land shimmers in soft light, its contours marked by fine lines of gold leaf that trace the memory of old paths, hedgerows, and field boundaries.
This collection can be seen over the summer at
Studio Vault, Settle Town Hall, Settle
North Yorkshire
BD24 9EJ
Open Tuesday - Saturday | 10:30 am - 5:00 pm
01729 268150
