DANIEL Cooper's new solo show has opened at Brantwood.

Following on from his residency at the Brantwood Estate last year, Daniel’s Reflections of Imagination exhibition of original drawings and paintings has been created from his experiences and connection with a place he describes as his “second home, loaded with special memories and views.”

During his time 'in residence' at the former Coniston home of John Ruskin, Ireleth-based Daniel has produced plenty of works from his observations throughout the days and nights spent at the estate and around Coniston.

Responding with sketches, paintings and photography have been an essential part of his practice and he continues to use the charcoal burnt on the Brantwood estate, together with mixed media. The paintings in Reflections of Imagination are his own personal and emotional responses to the amazing sights around stunning Brantwood and Coniston, with the effect of weather, light and cloud dominating.

Daniel has a terrific eye for the dramatic and even sublime happenings from above: from heavy distant rain, dazzling winter sunsets to starry skies.

He approaches his subject matter with a degree of Romanticism: “By getting immersed in and around Brantwood and submitting my memories and emotions to paper and canvas, I try to capture the essence of place and to visually communicate those transient moments in time.”

Daniel began his professional career while working at Brantwood around six years ago and he has gone on to become one of the best known and collected landscape artists in Cumbria with more than 20 solo shows under his creative belt as well as a number of highly acclaimed group shows, which included showing his art alongside works by Beatrix Potter and John Ruskin’s former tutor, Samuel Prout.

“It is an absolute honour and privilege to show solo at this special time at Brantwood; celebrating the bicentenary year of John Ruskin’s birth. Visiting and staying at Brantwood is always a pleasure as the grounds are all too familiar, yet the constantly changing weather changes the atmosphere and mood are perfect for a fresh inspiration.”

Reflections of Imagination runs at Brantwood’s Severn Studio until July 23, open daily 10.30am-5pm.

For further information telephone 015394-41396 or go online at www.brantwood.org.uk.