ALONG THE HIDDEN PATH

Cornerstone's wonderful gallery space has become a vibrant artistic establishment currently home to the first solo exhibition by Stuart Roper ‘Along the Hidden Path.’

Following on from his very successful show ‘Oxford Refracted’ at Art Jericho earlier in the year, the local artist and illustrator brings a large selection of his new work, to the Didcot art centre.

Continuing his exploration of the Oxfordshire countryside, with its lanes and quiet corners, Stuart aims to focus on Oxfordshire's less celebrated beauty spots. "It's all about the little moments for me, not the famous Oxford landmarks but the places I have discovered by living here that mean something to me.

"But more than that, it's about colour, because the countryside isn't just green with blue sky - there are purple's and lilacs and turquoises to be found and I have tried to encapsulate them as well."

Painting outside, Stuart then brings his sketches and observations home and translates them onto much bigger canvasses. 25-30 of these Hockneyesque paintings will be on show.

Hailing from Edinburgh, Stuart moved here from Scotland to pursued his illustrating career and has continued painting throughout.

Working in a variety of media including watercolour, gouache, acrylics and oils, Stuart’s paintings show the influence of the Scottish Colourists, yet he has a deep affinity with the English landscape.

"My background was in Scotland, so I was influenced buy the Scottish colourists and their love of colour from a young age. But more than that, the older I get, the more uninhibited I have become, which is quite liberating," the 62 year-old said.

With work exhibited in a number of galleries throughout the UK and with paintings in private collections all over the world, his growing reputation has attracted the attention of fine art buyers across the globe.

Previously part of a joint exhibition at Cornerstone, this will however, be his first foray as a solo exhibitor. "I am delighted to be coming back to Cornerstone because it is such a wonderful space, with lots of big blank walls. And as most of my paintings are a metre plus in size, they work really well there."

Along The Hidden Path; An exhibition of work by Stuart Roper continues until Mon November 21. There will also be a painting workshop held by Stuart on Thursday October 27. 01235 515144 for more information