AN 82 year-old artist is set to have her first solo exhibition in a new art gallery opening in Co Derry.
More than 20 paintings by Donegal-based Bridget Whitehead will be showcased in the Blackheath Art Gallery in Aghadowey.
Originally from the north east of England, Bridget attended art college in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
She also spent some time in both Paris and Italy when she was in her 40’s. She was inspired when she visited an art gallery showing paintings by Vincent van Gogh.
She settled in the seaside town of Dunfanaghy in 1983, where she sold her work through a local gallery.
“I was asked about a solo show when I was working at the gallery but I didn’t want to take away from it at the time," she said.
Bridget says that she found it very easy to paint when she moved to Ireland.
“It’s a lot easier to find things to paint here because it’s very pretty and the lighting is very good.”
However, she had not painted for several years when she was contacted by Blackheath gallery owner Ken Belshaw.
“I’m quite nervous about the show. I haven’t bothered trying to paint in a long time.
“A lot of the paintings are currently lying under the bed.”
The paintings on display are taken from various periods of Bridget’s life. Available to purchase, the pieces celebrate her unique approach to landscape and colour.
“I tend to paint what I see and what I feel at the same time” says Bridget.
Creativity appears to run in Bridget’s family.
“My aunt was a watercolourist in Canada and my sister is an artist in the US and I have painted most of my life. These works from my studio represent my work over several decades and I am excited at the prospect of my first solo sale.”
Bridget now tends to spend a lot more time adding to landscapes rather than painting them.
“Although I don’t paint as much anymore, I love gardening.”
The gallery, which will open June 14, is next door to the Blackheath Pottery and Café, in the grounds of the 18th century Blackheath House and garden near Coleraine.
The exhibition will open on June 14 and will run until June 30.
