Southport's ArtHouse to host an exhibition by Pauline McNult

FOR the Southport artist, Pauline McNulty, every painting is an adventure. No stranger to the local art scene, as well as regularly contributing to Southport Contemporary Arts, Pauline exhibits annually at the Sefton Open and with Southport Palette Club throughout the year. Pauline has been drawing and painting now for over 40 years:- "My style is eclectic and impressionistic. I mainly paint in acrylic, watercolour or ink, but will also mix my media to achieve the best effect. I find the subject matter often dictates my choice of medium. I initially engaged with art through Adult Education in the '80s. Since then I have extended the depth and breath of my experience and skills through classes and courses in:- watercolour, acrylics, life drawing, linocut, silk painting and pastels backed up with extensive academic study."

Acknowledging taking inspiration from artists from the past like the archetypal German Renaissance polymath, Albrecht Dürer;- "I love his watercolours and drawings and portraits particularly his beautiful plant and animal studies; and impulsive Dutch Post Impressionist, Vincent van Gogh; for his imagination, his vibrant use of colour, texture and composition; Pauline values their kindred spirit... Both loved subjects of nature and portraiture as I do."

The natural world has always provided the stimulation for Pauline's accomplished technique:- "I just love to sketch and paint animals, wildlife and flora. My passion is animal portraiture especially primates. My aim is to produce a dramatic, colourful portrait that displays the individual character or spirit of my chosen subject."

A member of the:- 'Association of Animal Artists,' Pauline regularly donates artwork to their wildlife charity auctions in aid of animal rescue and protection.

The paintings currently on display clearly articulate Pauline's commitment to supporting animal welfare:- "All 3 animal portraits portray strong dominant animals in a quiet moment of reflection, pensive and vulnerable before they return to their daily struggles with life. The tiger and gorilla are animals in danger of extinction, a subject I turn to repeatedly. The Highland Cow is a domesticated animal that retains its wild and romantic allure."

Pauline can easily trace her interests in nature back to growing up:- "Wildlife has always held a fascination for me since reading animal books and visiting zoos, aquariums, wildlife parks and bird sanctuaries as a child. I have always been concerned about animal conservation and the horrors that occur worldwide. I can do very little about that sadly, but I think that is why I feel drawn to painting beautiful creatures that man in his ignorance is destroying. I feel this most strongly for the plight of the giant apes."

Certainly not 1 to be missed, this latest showing by Pauline will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, Southport, running until:- 24 September 2022.
 

Liverpool man nominated for National Rail Award for contribution to Northern's work around equality, diversity and inclusion

A man from Liverpool has been nominated for a national rail industry award for his contribution to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the sector.

Rob Bowman (35) works as a conductor for Northern in the City and is 1 of the train operator's diversity champions. He has helped launch their EDI strategy and regularly represents the organisation at Pride events and most recently, the Women In Rail Awards. And now, he has been shortlisted in the Outstanding Personal Contribution category of the prestigious National Rail Awards; a scheme which recognises outstanding achievements across Great Britain and rewards individuals and initiatives which demonstrate innovation, measurable improvements and exceptional leadership.

Chris Jackson, Regional director for Northern, said:- "Rob is a real asset to Northern, making a difference to our colleagues and customers through his amazing attitude every single day. His contribution in so many ways across the business is worthy of recognition and I wish him all the best of luck for the awards night."

Bowman will find out if he is the winner in his category at the awards ceremony in London, on Thursday, 15 September 2022. Northern is the 2nd largest train operator in the country, with nearly 2,000 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.