BURLEY-in-Wharfedale residents can this month see how work is progressing on a new painting of the village.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale Community Trust has announced a new project in conjunction with Ian Middleton. Ian is a well-established professional artist who lives in Burley.

In a discussion with Duncan Ault, chairman of the Burley Community Trust, Ian offered to do a painting of Burley-in-Wharfedale, done in the style of his very well-known earlier painting ‘Yorkshire’; this is semi-abstract with a geometric composition.

Duncan Ault, chairman of the Trust said: “This will be a wonderful picture of our village and will look so good when reproduced in Ian’s unique style.”

Both Ian and the Trust want to involve people in the village as much as possible in the project and have organised events to let people see how the painting is taking shape.

People in the village will be able to influence which views and buildings should be included. Ian has met with the history group and looked at their archive collection. He said: “There’s just been so much material to look at from now and in the past; I’m going to try and include most of it.”

Ian will be drawing and painting live in Burley Library now and again, with two initial dates booked for the afternoons of Thursdays July 5th and 12th. Children from Burley Oaks and Burley and Woodhead primary schools are going to come in and have a look, and perhaps be inspired to undertake some art work of their own. From 2.30pm onwards, everyone is very welcome to come to see how the painting is progressing and to contribute their ideas.

The first lines and images are pictured here for people to take a look but everyone is welcome to come along to the library and see it for themselves.

It is hoped that the finished work will be ready for the Christmas lights switch-on and Christmas market on Saturday, December 1st, 2018. The finished work will be donated to the Community Trust and it is hoped it might be displayed permanently in the library. Much of Ian’s work can be seen at The Somerville Gallery in Otley and on his website: https://www.somervillearts.com. He has painted in a very wide range of styles and is assisted by Rhiannon Forbes-Wake.