Meet The Artist
Moira McTague
As a painter and printmaker I am inspired by my immediate surroundings, finding beauty in things that could easily be ignored. It is important for me to work from life and to observe in depth in order to develop an intimate relationship with my subject matter.
The processes of painting and etching are those of discovery and one of my aims when working is to create balance and harmony.
As an etcher I enjoy the physical processes of working on the etching plate, the infinite possibilities of etching methods and the beautiful qualities of line and tone that can be achieved. These qualities work in harmony with my subject matter.
I work on both zinc and copper plate, using a variety of processes to achieve the results I want. Most plates incorporate aquatint- often several separate layers on each plate and hours of burnishing to make the image ‘sing’. If colour is used, the plate is always inked up in colour, never retouched afterwards. In recent etchings, chine colle, using beautiful Japanese papers has been explored.
Etching for me is a contemplative and often slow process- with many layers, all contributing towards capturing the essence of my original inspiration.
C.V.
Exhibitions
Recent work selected for the following exhibitions
2008 Harrogate Open
2008 ‘New Impressions’ Number6 Studio Gallery Pateley Bridge
2008 ‘Blooming Passions’ March Hare Gallery, Ripon.
2007 March Hare Gallery, Ripon
2007 The Whitehouse Gallery, Kircudbright
2007 Chester Art Fair
2007 ‘Still Life’, Yorko Gallery, Harrogate.
2007 ‘Secret Garden’, 4 Female Painters, Treasurers House, National Trust, York
2007 Facing North, MaidenBridge Gallery
2007 ‘Small print, Big Impression’. Leicester print Workshop
2007 International Mini Print-Norwalk, U.S.A
2007 Bianco Nero Gallery ‘6 by 4’- Still Life Exhibition
2006 ‘Ignite the Spark’ Number6 Studio Gallery, Pateley Bridge
2006 British International Mini Print Exhibition
2006 The Great North Art Show
2006 North Yorkshire Open Studios. (Art connections)
2005 Masham Arts Festival
2005 ‘Anstey Galleries in Bloom’, Harrogate
2005 Harrogate Open Exhibition
2005 North Yorkshire Open Studios. (Art Connections)
2004 “The Delicacy of Nature”, Bruton Gallery, Haleys Hotel, [One Man Show]
2004 “Art for Life” The Art Apartment, Knaresborough
2004 5th International Mini Print Exhibition
2003 Patchings 2003 Exhibition. [Artist category finalist]
2003 Harrogate Open Exhibition
2003 ‘Art for Youth’, Tennants, Middleham
2003 National Print Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
2002 ‘25x 25’ Summer Exhibition, University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
2002 London International Small Print Biennale, Morley Gallery, London
2001 The Art Apartment, Knaresborough
2001 ‘10x10’ Summer Exhibition, University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
2001 Flower Paintings and Etchings. Harrogate [One Man Show]
2001 ‘Art for Youth’, Tennants, Middleham.
2000 'Relativities' 4th British International Miniature Print Exhibition. [Touring Exhibition]
2000 'Print 2000' Morley Gallery, London
1999 'Impressions' [one man show of etchings], Henshaws Gallery, Knaresborough
2000 '22x22' Summer Exhibition, University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
1998-99 Artlink Exchange Christmas Exhibition, Hull
1998-99 Gateshead Central Library Christmas Exhibition, Gateshead
1998 '21x21' Summer Exhibition, University Gallery, Newcastle upon Tyne
1998 Laing Landscape Exhibition, Dean Clough Galleries, Halifax,
[Peoples Choice Prize Winner]
1998 National Print Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London
1998 Sanderson, George and Peach, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
1998 'First Impressions', York City Art Gallery
1997-98 McTague of Harrogate
1997 Quay Mini Print Exhibition, Hull
1997 Graffix 97, Scunthorpe Art Gallery
1997 Sanderson, George and Peach, Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
1997 'Scratched and Bitten', Mercer Gallery, Harrogate
Illustrated publications include
2007 Facing North- Commissioned Work by 50 Yorkshire Artists
2002 ‘Baby and Toddler knits’ – illustrations, New Holland Publishers
2001 ‘Crochet for Babies and Toddlers’ – illustrations, New Holland Publishers
Qualifications
1981-82 Post Graduate Certificate in Education, University of Bristol.
1982 Art t Teachers Diploma, University of Bristol
1978-81 BA (Hons) Degree 2:1 Fine Art, Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic
1977-78 Foundation Course in Art and Design, Harrogate College of Art
Teaching Experience
2005/8 Lecturer in Fine Art- Printmaking. Nidderdale.
2005- Teacher of Art [part time], teaching A level and GCSE Art and Design and Etching,
1989 Harrogate Ladies College
1988-93 Lecturer in Fine Art, (painting,) Adult Education classes, Harrogate
1983-88 Teacher of Art, Granby High School, Harrogate
1982-83 Teacher of Art, Ryburn Valley High School, Sowerby, West Yorkshire
Other Work Experience
2008 Trustee, Nidderdale Visual Arts. Management Committee Member,
Number 6 Studio Gallery.
2008 Curator, New Impressions, Number6 Studio Gallery
2008 Printmaking Workshops, Number6 Studio Gallery
2007 N.C.F.E Printmaking Tutor and Moderator
2006 Printmaking Workshops. North Yorkshire.
2006 Art tutor- family learning. North Yorkshire
2005 ‘The Big Draw’. Resident Printmaker leading workshops, curator of
‘Animals of the Dales’ Exhibition. Number Six Studio Gallery, Pateley Bridge.
1988-92 Technician, McTague of Harrogate [Antique Print and Paintings Gallery]