A NEW exhibition is coming to The Ruskin Museum this month.

‘‘Capturing the past before it disappears: Vernacular buildings between the Lakes and the Dales’’ by Caroline A. Metcalfe-Gibson will be presented between June 25 and September 4.

The Ravenstonedale based artist Caroline A. Metcalfe-Gibson has turned her attention to the rural architecture of the surrounding county.

Caroline said: I love the old farmhouses, fieldhouses, limekilns, dropgates, becks and stone walls which still form much of the character of this area and I discovered in the medium of pen and ink drawing a particularly sympathetic way of expressing that delight.

"More recently through my teaching I have found that the freedom and flow of watercolour, and the sometimes unexpected results of mixed media are a stimulating contrast to the line work of the pen.

"Another strand of our world which provides an impetus for me is the ordinary, the routine and day to day. ‘Still Life’ subjects are everywhere to be found.

"The clutter in a work shed, farmyard or garden allotment, the table scattered with plates and dishes left over from a meal, books and papers piled up on a desk or pans and cutlery in the kitchen sink.

"The sudden and unexpected juxtaposition of colours, shapes, patterns and textures give magic to the mundane and I try to transmit this pleasure and element of surprise to the viewer.

"For this exhibition I have concentrated on the theme of Vernacular Architecture found between the Lakes, Dales and Pennines.

"I am interested in ordinary, working buildings found all over the rural parts of this area. These structures are evidence of how things were done in the past, and I am attracted by their variety. They seem to grow out of the ground, they are quirky and full of character.

"I like to celebrate their seeming ordinariness, and enhance the buildings by painting them with interesting shadows, lighting effects and unusual perspectives. This exhibition has been much delayed due to the pandemic, so I am delighted for these works to finally get shown at the Ruskin Museum."

The exhibition will continue until September 4 at The Ruskin Museum on Yewdale Road in Coniston village and is open daily 10am-4.30pm.

For information visit the www.ruskinmuseum.com.