Stephen Richards
Like many of us, I have always been interested, whenever the opportunity presented itself, in having a look around an art gallery, on holiday or on business. I have had an interest in painting and drawing for as long as I can remember, working on huge wall murals even in my primary school years.

Post education, real life got in the way, as with many would be artists, it’s a difficult career path to choose, unless you have other financial means and most of us have mortgages to pay and mouths to feed!

However, since moving to Lymington with my young family 5 years ago I have managed to find more time to paint and in 2009 began to sell work locally.

In attending local art classes and touring open studio events I began to realise there was a lot of local talent that was far more worthy than the tag ‘amateur’ might suggest, with some notable art clubs overflowing with talent!

However there was a shared frustration at the limited opportunity to show contemporary work.

So when the premises on Southampton Road next to Litchfields became available it was crying out to be transformed into a smart little contemporary gallery!

The coast of Hampshire and Dorset, salt marsh and beaches, with the ever changing light and the spectacular scenery of Isle of Wight and the open New Forest take some beating as landscape subjects.

But the artists that have gathered at Coastal Gallery have many varied themes and motives; we have many fine abstract and traditional still life painters –albeit with a contemporary presentation, that adds to the vibrant exhibition space.

We have a mix of artists, all ages and influences, some full time professionals of established reputations and some less well known, but I have tried to select artists whose work is bright, uplifting and inspired.

We have some very talented young figurative painters as well, who may in time prove that, given natural talent, hard work and dedication, it can not only be a fulfilling and inspirational way to spend your time but can be a rewarding career after all!