Ray Atkins and Sheila Fell (RA)

Ray Atkins

We’re very proud to introduce the paintings of Ray Atkins to the fold.

Born in 1937, Ray has had a tremendous career and still works in his Pyrenees studio at the age of eighty eight. A true talent of British figurative painting, Ray has become renowned over the decades for his large-scale impasto paintings, of people and places, which explode with energy and colour, as can be seen in the wonderful 1972 painting, Wet Garden in May from 1972. Ray’s works are held by many of the UK’s prestigious collections, including The British Museum and Newlyn Art Gallery.

Superb 1960s, an Auerbach influence

Having studied at Bromley and thence the Slade School of Fine Art, Ray was to be influenced by his tutor Frank Auerbach, an influence which can be seen in his works from the early to mid 1960s, as witnessed by his oil painting “Philip White Sitting on a Sofa Reading – Liverpool 1963”, a lustrous work of real depth and complexity.

A large imposing painting

A larger work from the same era, this time 1964, features the same sitter again reading, but this time in-garden. Again, the complexity of paint application and colour is almost a journey through paint, across the board; all that was inventive and exciting about British painting of the 1950s and 60s.

A friendship with poet Barbara Norman

Ray was a good friend of the poet Barbara Norman (1920 – 1972) when living in Reading. She lived on her houseboat, named "Groucho" and they would often spend time together on the boat, talking about life and art. This painting from 1969 is born of their friendship and their ease with each other.

A very successful career was in 2024 recognised with the publication of a wonderful book on Ray’s artistic journey and life, written by the well renowned Peter Davies. We’re very proud to be exhibiting Ray’s work from the 1960s and 70s, directly from the artist’s studio.

Sheila Fell (RA) - Reacquisition

Finally, this week we reacquired a top-tier Sheila Fell oil painting, one we sold in our 2014 Sheila Fell exhibition.

Village under Snow was painted in 1957 for exhibition the following year in Sheila’s second solo show with Beaux Arts, London. Displaying all that is wonderful about Sheila’s 1950s oeuvre, it has the black skeletal trees, the light/dark contrast, the heavy snow and that striking Winter sun; a painting we’re proud to have brought back to Castlegate to find its next custodian.  Available for viewing in-gallery now.

Steve and Christine