An exhibition of paintings by artist Stephen Bainbridge in acrylic and watercolour depicting the golden age of steam power on Britain’s railways, combining accuracy and atmosphere is the first to go on display in the gallery at Darlington Library, following its recent restoration.
Stephen has exhibited and been artist in residence at The Head of Steam railway museum in the past, and exhibited at Darlington Library before and we are delighted to welcome The Splendour of Steam exhibition as the first in the gallery since its recent restoration. If you’d like to find out more about the Darlington Library offer and take a virtual tour of the newly restored building just click here.
Stephen is 74 years old and was born in Leicester. He taught in Buckinghamshire for thirty-six years before retiring to the North, moving to Newton Aycliffe, where he now lives with his wife Shelagh.
Stephen has worked in the acrylic medium for forty years, initially developing techniques under the tutelage of the professional artist Noel Gregory. His paintings have also featured in magazines and have been used in historical text books. As a lifelong admirer of Sir Nigel Gresley and the LNER many of the works reflect this, together with the appreciation of Sir William Stanier and the LMS.
He is a member of the, the LNER Society, The A1 Group and The Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Preservation Group. Stephen is also a member of the North York Moors Railway and the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.
He has recently completed studies of the P2 2007 ‘Prince of Wales’, currently under construction at Darlington for the P2 Group and painting ‘The Great Goodbye, the gathering of the six remaining A4s at Shildon which ‘Locomotion’ produced as a limited-edition print.
Stephen is also planning to work in situ in the gallery at Darlington Library on particular Fridays between 10.30am and 2pm during the exhibition run, a great chance to have a chat, find out more about his creative practice or buy some fantastic cards featuring prints of his beautiful pictures.
