Dartmoor - 365 Square Miles

Inspired by her current epic exploration of Dartmoor, Green Hill Arts at Moretonhampstead is delighted to show Anita Reynolds’ latest prints and paintings.

After walking the 630 mile-long South West Coast Path and producing over six hundred prints for her book, ‘Outline South West’– Anita said that she wouldn’t attempt another large-scale project, but happily, she changed her mind:

‘Dartmoor is my place of solace, it inspires and surprises me, it is all about the weather. I enjoy it the most when the weather is wild and unpredictable, one minute bathing in sunshine, the next I’m reaching for my waterproofs. Every visit offers new experiences and opportunities to make new images. How I respond depends on what I find. This is a long-term project, if I complete it in five years I think I'll be doing well . . . the only criteria I have set is that I will visit every one of the 365 square miles within the park.’

Anita manages herweek by dividing her time between working on site from her campervan – when she mixes sketching, painting and printmaking – and developing ideas back in her studio on the southern edge of the moor. The outside work has the excitement and vigorous marks that are the result of an emotional response to the landscape. Rapidly changing light and weather conditions require her to work quickly, forcing her to focus on the essential details. In the studio, memory and compositional processes kick in and to make the larger prints.

Georgie Lingard, Green Hill’s arts officer said: ‘We are lucky to work with Anita. She is thoroughly down to earth, practical and inspiring - quietly producing an impressive portfolio of beautiful well-observed works. She also happens to be a great tutor. What a joyous combination!’

On show in the gallery is an installation, new paintings, prints and a series of mini postcard prints made on location, using the portable press in the campervan. Anita’s fascinating sketchbooks are also available to see.

Entry is to the exhibition is free. The Green Hill Arts Gallery is open from 10am-4pm weekly from Tuesday to Saturday inclusive (closed on Sundays and Mondays). The Gallery is situated at the top of Fore Street, Moretonhampstead, close to the Parish Church. Parking is in the Court Street and Station Road car parks.