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"Just in oils" - Art at the end of the Tunnel

A professional Ainsdale Artist, Neil Prior is currently busy putting the final touches to his forthcoming 1 man show at the ArtHouse, on Eastbank Street, Southport, Merseyside, is scheduled to open later in the month. This new exhibition will feature over 25 original works exploring a diverse range of subject matter captured by Neil in his trademark oils. Having retired in 2018 from the Leicestershire constabulary, Neil has been able to turn his full attention to his life long love of oil painting; dog duties permitting! Neil is a self taught Artist, who mounted 2 successful solo exhibitions in Leicestershire in 2017 and 2018 prior to moving with his wife, Martha, and their 2 Bedlington Terriers, Bruce and Herbert, up to Southport. Now, no stranger to galleries across the Northwest region for his stunning dog portraiture, Neil gained instant national recognition earlier this year when 1 of his commissions:- "Lily the Hero" was also featured in the July issue of the SAA Community Paint magazine.

"During lockdown I became involved in the Portraits for NHS Heroes set up on Instagram by Tom Croft for Artists to offer free portraits to NHS workers. 1 NHS Doctor, in Liverpool, Sofia Almeida originally from Portugal, responded to an offer of a free portrait, however, she didn't want a portrait of herself. Instead, she told me that her hero was her dog, Lilly, a springer spaniel. At the end of a hard day's work on the wards, she would be greeted with heaps of licks and cuddles when she returned home. It was a true honor to paint such a beautiful dog for a very special person. In April , I had the pleasure of meeting both Sofia and her partner, Sam (also a Doctor based in Liverpool) along with Lilly as the lockdown relaxed. We were able to go for a walk on Ainsdale beach along with my 2 Beddies, Bruce and Herbert, who got on brilliantly with Lilly and we're now arranging further walks. They are hoping to get to my exhibition which will be fantastic."

When the Government locked the country down in March 2020, to restrict the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Neil took up his 'virtual' brush along with other members of Southport Contemporary Arts, to share artwork related to the topic of the lockdown:- "Separate Yet Together."  SCA Director, Norrie Beswick Calvert, explains:- "As a way of staying connected creatively, our Friday Art Class and some SCA members devised an on going sharing project. The idea was that each member shared online a small section of an art piece they were currently working on, and then the others in the group used it as a starting point for a new artwork based on their personal experiences and feelings about the Coronavirus and it's impact into our lives."

Neil painted 2 new pieces:- "Time to Reflect" and "Freedom." Neil describes his submissions:- "The 2 pieces speak for themselves, In "Time to Reflect," the yellow boat is an indication that despite how alone we can feel at this time, we are all in the same boat and that we should use this slowing down of time to reflect on ourselves and those around us (represented by the clouds). The 2nd painting, "Freedom" is a very large canvas and probably my favourite piece over the lockdown as it was taken from a photograph that I took of a single Black Headed Gull in flight on Ainsdale Beach. I used the images of the gulls flight to represent our own flight path as lockdown relaxes and we seek some kind of freedom and return to normality."

Both these paintings will be on display at the solo exhibition and will also be available to purchase as original giclee prints and greeting cards. Despite all that is going on, Neil certainly seems to have a positive working method of dealing with the current restrictions:- "As an Artist, coping under Covid -19 hasn't really been an issue for me. I have been able to use my time effectively in the studio at home, producing dog portrait commissions and assembling other pieces in preparation for my solo exhibition at the ArtHouse."

This 10-day exclusive showing is certainly not 1 to be missed. "Just in Oils" will be on display at the ArtHouse, Eastbank Street from 21 July 2020 to 1 August 2020. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, from 10.00 to 15.00. Saturday, from 11.00 to 16.00.

In line with Government advice, the SCA team have introduced strict measures to keep visitors to the Gallery as safe as possible:- There will be a policy of 2 visitors at a time, with social distancing once inside, and hand sanitize dispensers at the door to use on arrival.

Don't let your DIY spell disaster for local rivers and beaches

THE rise in people doing DIY during lockdown has also led to a sharp increase in substances being poured down drains and polluting regional rivers and beaches. James Devereux, drainage analyst at United Utilities, said:- "Many people don't realise that the drain grids around their homes and in the road are only designed to take rainwater. I've seen householders pouring paint, plaster and other DIY materials down their own drains and the grids in the road. If you pour these substances down surface water drains they can go straight to local rivers and beaches and cause real damage to the environment."

The North West water and wastewater firm says last month, in the space of an hour, it received 3 reports of pollution to a local watercourse in Cockermouth, Cumbria caused by people pouring paint and plaster down the drain. James added:- "The only thing going down a surface water drain should be water. Please don't pour paint, paint thinner, plaster, oils, lubricants or pesticides down drains, make sure you dispose of them safely. Your local Council will have advice on disposal facilities in your area."

Another common problem is misconnections. Anyone carrying out major renovations must make sure that:- toilets, dishwashers and washing machines are connected to the right drain when they're fitted. Many properties built after 1920 will have separate foul and surface water drainage. To make sure your connections are correct, and that you employ a reputable plumber, you can check with Connect Right online. This organisation aims to prevent misconnections and raise awareness about drainage and water pollution among property owners, the public and professionals. James explained:- "Misconnections not only make watercourses look unpleasant, they can also cause significant environmental damage. It is important that we all help to protect and enhance our natural environment."

Sharon Kennedy, area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency, said:- "This is a timely reminder from United Utilities about the possible danger of disposing of pollutants in the wrong way. We all need to work together to preserve the environment around local rivers and beaches. If you notice pollution in your local watercourse, or notice something that doesn't look right, please report this to the Environment Agency on:- 0800807060."