Wednesday 2 May 2018

New Studio at Norton Conyers

At the beginning of May this year I moved my studio from above David Stead Gallery in the tiny city of Ripon, North Yorkshire, Uk where I'd worked for 15 yrs, to a larger space in the beautiful late 18th century stable block at Norton Conyers House about four miles outside the city. The gallery in Ripon continues and we have a new gallery space in Harrogate too but for the time being, Norton Conyers is taking up my time and thoughts as I strive to get back to work and start making pictures after what seems a long hiatus. Owned by the delightfully eccentric Sir James and Lady Halina Graham, Norton Conyers is a late medieval manor house with Georgian additions and is said to be the inspiration behind Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. Apparently Charlotte visited Norton Conyers in 1839 and learned of a legend of a mad woman locked in the attic. This later formed the basis of Bronte's Mrs Rochester character, who was similarly kept in confinement by her husband in the novel.
The house, gardens and indeed, my studio are open to visitors on selected weekends throughout the summer so you can come and explore for yourself.

Norton Conyers House


Stables