Finely detailed wildlife pencil drawings and exquisite silver and copper metal work, combine to make up the new exhibition at Durlston Country Park’s Fine Foundation Gallery in Swanage.
Pencil artist and illustrator Katy Harrald is showing her work in the exhibition entitled, On Wing and Shore, alongside the creations of metal artist and jeweller Alan Laurence Williams.
Artist Katy Harrald’s pencil and graphite drawings are extraordinarily detailed
Intricate pictures of birds and nature
With a degree in illustration from Arts University Bournemouth, Katy uses traditional pencil and graphite to draw intricate pictures of birds and nature.
She said:
“I really fell into drawing wildlife, when someone suggested I should try botanical art and it just spiralled from there.
“I now go bird watching alot and love walking along the coast looking for shells and fossils. Sorting through the pebbles is like exploring a hidden landscape, especially when I find treasures like sea glass to draw.
“With birds, I like capturing the drama – they can be quite vicious with all the fighting and squabbling. They definitely have their own personalities and it’s not just the birds of prey, like peregrine falcons but also the seagulls and even pigeons!”
Beach finds
An accomplished artist
Since graduating in 2014, Katy’s reputation as an accomplished artist has grown and now her work is sought by specialist art galleries in the US.
She grew up at Highcliffe in Dorset and now lives in Blandford and says that living away from the coastline allows her to appreciate the seaside more.
Katy added:
“Exhibiting at Durlston is amazing as the location is so inspiring. There’s still so many more birds that I’d like to draw like the osprey and the white-tailed eagle, which are slowly being reintroduced to this part of the coast.
“I think British wildlife can be really under appreciated because it lacks the exotic colours but by drawing it in pencil and graphite, I hope I allow its real beauty to be exposed.”
Alan Laurence Williams with his silver and copper work
Silver and copper
Jeweller and metal worker Alan Laurence Williams, who lives in Corfe Mullen, started by making jewellery and has now moved onto creating larger items from silver and copper.
Mainly self taught, he was able to focus on his creative career after retiring from being a science teacher at Poole Grammar School.
He said:
“I was always in the lab, creating things out of metal wire, so four years ago I thought I would try making silver jewellery.
“During lockdown in my shed, I started making other items like the boxes. I particularly like the decorative mushrooms.”
Alan started making silver jewellery and then moved onto larger items
Engagement ring
Katy and Alan got to know each other through Katy’s fiancé Robin MacKenzie, who is a printmaker and is also exhibiting one of his pictures.
They got engaged in 2021 and the couple knew exactly who they wanted to make the engagement ring – of course they asked Alan!
Katy added:
“It’s a beautiful ring, really special and totally unique!”
Katy with her fiancé, Robin MacKenzie and her engagement ring made by Alan
Extra sparkle
The Fine Foundation Gallery also has an extra sparkle about it, with its newly installed LED lighting.
Funded by a government grant via Dorset Council, solar panels have also been installed on the roof of the gallery and over at the bungalow near the Learning Centre.
Durlston Country Park ranger, Ali Tuckey said:
“There’s plenty to come and see here at Durlston. Not only the art exhibition but also all our new eco friendly installations.
“Over the next few weeks, we’re also getting a heat pump to warm the castle – there’s always something going on up here!”
The newly installed solar panels on the roof of the Fine Foundation Gallery
Further information
- The exhibition, On Wing and Shore is open daily from Saturday 2nd April until Sunday 24th April 2022 at Durlston Country Park’s Fine Foundation Gallery in Swanage. The gallery opening hours are 10.30 am to 5 pm.
- More about the artists, Katy Harrald, Alan Laurence Williams and Robin MacKenzie are on their websites.
- More about upcoming events and exhibitions at the Fine Foundation Gallery is on the Durlston Country Park website
Setting up the exhibition
