Made in Matterdale
Local artists and their work
Below you will find a selection of work from artists across our valley. Individual contact details are included so you can get in touch directly to place your orders. More options will be added so please keep checking back to see new additions. Artists will be making a donation to the Matterdale Community Association from the sales they make. Any Matterdale/Watermillock artists and artisans who would like to include their work here please contact Helen Ratcliffe at hholland21@hotmail.com.
Jane Firth
Felter
Jane's style of felting has a strong 3-dimensional element using mainly local wool. She started with the sheep she saw around her(Herdwicks, Swaledales, mules, Rough Fell and Blue Faced Leicesters) and subsequently has added a wide variety of sheep, goats, ponies and hares. Here recent project is to felt the sheep on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Danger List. Many of these are wool breeds and well worth saving.
Jane works in a converted garage overlooking Ullswater. For more information please visit Jane's website here.
Helen Ratcliffe
Beginner potter
Helen started her pottery journey in 2019 and so is very much a beginner and finding her focus. She is experimenting with both thrown and handbuilt stoneware pottery and has a variety of possibilities available. You can contact Helen on hholland21@hotmail.com.
Gina Farncombe
Artist
Castle Rigg Stone Circle
Original acrylic framed 35cm x 25cm £200
Matterdale Wall 2 14cm x 14cm
Prints framed £50
Matterdale Wall 1 14cm x 14cm
Original framed £120 Prints framed £50
Gina is predominantly a landscape painter. She has a wealth of inspiration on her doorstep by living in the heart of the Cumbrian Fells. She continues to work with the figure as well as landscape. As well as her original paintings and prints she also has an amazing range of beautiful greetings cards - always great to have a stock of these in the house! Please contact Gina on ginafarncombe2@gmail.com
Mungrisdale Ponies
Print framed 35cm x 25cm £95
Chris Croft
Rugs and Yarn
Chris uses the tough and hardwearing yarn from the hardy sheep of the Lakeland Fells to make her luxurious deep pile rugs, her unique one-off pieces. Chris makes a variety of items from Herdwick and Swaledale wool including gun-tufted rugs, crocheted bags, natural and hand-dyed Herdwick and Swaledale rug wool, gun-tufted wall hangings. You can see her full work at www.herdwickrugs.co.uk where you can also place orders for your gifts.
Michelle Castles
Sculptor
Sculptor Michelle Castles is inspired by the dynamic human form and has become well known for her wire figures.
From miniature to large installations, Michelle has adapted her work to blend harmoniously within all environments, enhancing the space and creating a powerful visual focal point. During her 25 year career as an artist she has produced exhibitions and commissions for public places locally and nationally.
Michelle works from her studio in Dockray where you can see some of her finished pieces, some in working progress and also her drawings.
Please contact Michelle via email to book a visit if you would like to see her work: michelleacastles@gmail.com
Chris and Geoff Cox
Ceramicists
Geoff & Chris Cox have been full-time ceramic artists for over 35 years, exhibiting and selling throughout the UK and Europe. They've worked in Japan and spent time in pottery villages in India and Laos - and have lived in the Matterdale valley at Stoddah since 1990, from where they started the Potfest international ceramic markets back in 1994. Christine originally trained in Fine Art, and Geoff in silversmithing and the work is mainly individual pieces rather than mass-produced ware. Prices range from £4 to £500.
Visitors to the gallery welcome but please phone first - 01768483820 ( gives time to tidy up! )
