This week saw the launch of a new Castle Park Arts Centre exhibition from The Eddisbury Artists: Inside Outside.

The Eddisbury Artists have been meeting in Castle Park Arts Centre for the past 25 years, in which time they have held regular exhibitions at venues including Halton Hospital, Theatr Clwyd and the Bank Quay Gallery, Warrington, for members of the public to enjoy.

In the summer months the group meets outdoors to paint local scenes, turning to portraiture, still life, life drawing and more in the winter months.

Inside Outside, which combines domestic and indoor scenes with depictions of landscapes local and far-flung, represents the Artists' return after a year of Covid-induced separation.

"We weren't able to meet indoors as we normally do each week," explains group member, Wynford Andrews, "and it's been a struggle to be creative, to get on and do things.

"Being part of a group helps give you the motivation to keep drawing, so we thought having an exhibition would be something everyone could work towards.

"Inside Outside is a very open and flexible title which could go in any direction. We don't necessarily know what everyone else is doing while we are preparing for an exhibition, so it was interesting to see all the pieces come through the door when we hung it.

"It should present a tremendous variety of images for anyone visiting.

"Of course, the theme also relates to the pandemic, so you'll probably see that coming through in people's pieces as well"

The trials of the past year are evident in some of Wynford's own pieces, which also include 'The Disciples', an oil painting of a group of friends on a trip to the pub, and 'Celebration Music', depicting a wedding string quartet.

In a more sombre piece, 'Alone', Wynford paints a man sitting in an armchair, a downcast expression on his face.

"Through this figure, I wanted to reflect the isolation of the pandemic, of being inside looking out," Wynford says.

In addition to Wynford's figurative work, Inside Outside presents a series of striking landscapes, rendered beautifully in oil, acrylic, pen, watercolour and mixed media by the various artists.

While Cliff Price's scenes from Frodsham and Helsby provide a pleasant rush of recognition, paintings such as Barbara Lewis' 'The Next Step' and Susan Hancell's mixed-media piece, 'Rocks at Seal Point' reflect wilder and more distant landscapes that we may have been missing over the past year.

Among the other paintings on display are included still life, delicate pastoral watercolours from Anne Bonner and gentle depictions of everyday life's small beauties by Mike Martin.

And that is not all! Thanks to the rich and diverse work created by this group of talented artists, this exhibition is sure to have you gazing in admiration at all the loveliness on display.

Further details of the exhibition can be found on the Castle Park Arts Centre website. Most of the work is for sale.

Meanwhile, you can read more about The Eddisbury Artists on their website.