As the verdant greens and calming blues of summer’s tapestry stretch delightfully before us, we send our brightest greetings to you all. This month the gallery has a host of exciting updates to share, from new work and highly anticipated exhibition openings to the introduction of a fantastically collectible new landscape artist. Ever lifted and inspired by our outstanding collection of fine art, we warmly invite you to share in its timeless, myriad pleasures.

This month the gallery excitedly opens its first solo show of work by much-loved pastel artist Ian Rawling, PS, 'Ian Rawling: Familiar and Found'. From curios to the conventional, cars to culinary delights, Ian’s newest collection lays bare and celebrates the fine details and imperfections of the seemingly familiar, forgotten or mundane, revealing their beauty and elevating them to new levels of appreciation. Many of the objects featured as subjects will also be on display and are included with the purchase of the corresponding pastel—a signature perk for Ian’s collectors. Preview catalogues will be available upon request a few days before the show’s opening, with all pieces available to purchase upon receipt of the catalogue.

York Fine Arts is also delighted to introduce the newest artist to the gallery, contemporary landscape artist Rupert Aker. An impressionist painter with authentic passion and vision, Rupert Aker conveys the experience and wonder of the natural world through each of his emotive paintings. With collectors and collaborators including Jaime Oliver and the National Trust, Rupert continues to go from strength to strength as he masterfully translates the emotion and rhythm of the landscape.  Timeless, captivating and highly collectible, Rupert’s paintings make a fantastic addition to contemporary collections.

Some of you may have seen from our social media that Michael John Ashcroft, ROI recently made a visit to York for a few days of plein air painting. Now framed and received here at the gallery, the resulting collection is truly superb. From beloved landmarks such as Betty’s Tea Rooms and York Minster to the quiet arches of Skeldergate Bridge, Michael has provided a fresh perspective and renewed appreciation of our city with his technical mastery and extraordinary vision.

In addition to Michael’s plein air paintings and our first collection of work from Rupert Aker, this month the gallery has also received new work from Stephen Park, Edward Hersey, Andrew Grant Kurtis, Stephen Hawkins, Raymond Campbell, Jay Nottingham, Michael Simpson, and of course, Ian Rawling, which will be unveiled for the exhibition in just a few short days. Visit our Recently Acquired page to see for yourself the delights to be found in these newest additions, and as ever, remember to check back throughout the course of the month to keep up to date with our newest arrivals.

We hope you will enjoy our June newsletter. As ever, we thank you for your patronage and look forward to welcoming you to the gallery soon.