Feather & Fin an exhibition which paints Strangford Lough in Watercolour
On the 21st April at 10am Castle Espie Gallery, Ireland’s only environmental art space, will be opening the doors to the watercolour exhibition ‘’Feather and Fin.”
This is the inspired title of an exhibition by artist, Barbara Allen. The exhibition will run 
from Saturday 21st April to the 13th May and will showcase Barbara Allen’s work who highlights, ‘I like using watercolour because it gives instant results. When watercolour is used in the true sense of the medium it gives spontaneous and fluid results. The trick is to create the illusion of detail and capture only the essence of any subject.’
Barbara Allen was born in Belfast in the 1950’s and graduated with a B.A Honours Degree in Graphic Design in 1982 and a Post Graduate Advanced Diploma in 1984. Four times winner of the John Ross Watercolour Prize at the RUA Barbara is best known for her rendering of vernacular architecture. However, in very recent years a chance visit to Portmore Harbour at Malin Head inspired Barbara’s quest to diversify. Sean Rothery, Book’s Ireland highlighted, “Here is an artist who can draw buildings, slate and stone, bricks and plaster, all rendered with consummate ease and delicious texture”. Barbara’s Works are held in the collections of The White House, Washington D.C., Norwegian Telecom and DIAGEO to name but a few. Commissions include Magee University and Invest N.I. and Barbara’s work is sought from places as far apart as Kensington Road, Belfast and Rockford, Illinois.
Barbara says: "I am looking forward to exhibiting at Castle Espie as it is a beautiful venue and hope the visitors enjoy my new subject matter - Brown Trout, Galway Hookers and Curlew to name but a few characters. The show will feature just one Georgian Door for the very nostalgic."
For full details on gallery events please visit wwt.org.uk/castleespie or call 028 9174 146. Follow us on Twitter @WWTcastleespie. Become a WWT member when you visit and not only will you get your entrance fee refunded, but you can then enjoy great days out for a full 12 months for FREE. Our centre is open 364 days a year and with annual family membership only £66 for two adults and up to six children (or just £5.50 a month, plus a free book for joining by Direct Debit) it ‘pays for itself’ after just three visits. Members also receive an exclusive quarterly magazine, Waterlife, which keeps you up to date on what’s going on at all nine WWT UK wetland centres and has information about WWT’s exciting conservation projects saving species from extinction and caring for important wetlands around the world. Ask a member of staff or visit http://www.wwt.org.uk/become-a-member/ for details
