'Artist & Maker Spotlights' - Andrew Olly Oliver, Dartmoor Landscape Painter

Andrew Olly Oliver is the co-owner of Moon & Moor Gallery and a very talented Landscape Painter & Lino Print Maker. Studying the surrounding landscape of his home, Dartmoor, Olly captures the ‘essence of a place’ and brings back a view from his numerous journeys across the moorland.

‘Searching for those wild places with a feeling of ancient history and hidden mystery, Olly distils the essence of a place, and transports the viewer into the view.

The subtlety of media emulates textures, lighting and weather wrapping itself over and through forms and layers within the landscape. The application of media has a feel somewhere between the freedom of Impressionism but with areas of realistic refinements and definition you could only achieve in the studio.

The idea of bringing back a view from a journey is an important factor in Olly’s process, that holding on to wilderness and promoting its beauty can offer company, distraction and therapy for the viewer encouraging more support for the great outdoors. Ancient woodlands with gnarled trees, life giving waterways or rock formations all regularly feature in

Olly’s work, exploring present habitats and the way the land has evolved with such diversity. Views are usually solitary and allow for peaceful reflection, to be lost in time, and free of human interference.’ - Andrew Olly Oliver

Olly’s had the delight of bespoke commissions through the gallery, exhibited with the Dartmoor Collective; Having an artwork selected for their latest Zine, ‘Linear’, and currently exhibiting with ‘Destination Dartmoor’ in Okehampton after a recent, Bracken Tor, Artists Residency.

Follow Olly on his journey over on Instagram - @andrew.olly.oliver

To view original artworks and prints for sale in the gallery click HERE

If you have a specific spot you’d like a painting of or to create a bespoke commission to the correct size, please do get in touch via the Contact Page Here

'Artist & Maker Spotlights' - Louise Gelson of LG Leatherworks

We’ve met Louise many times on the craft circuit and have always admired her stunning hand stitched leather creations. Her unique vegetable tanned leather comes in a variety of beautiful colours that compliment any outfit (or dog!).

So delighted Louise is part of the Moon & Moor Makers, as well as being magnificently talented she’s the nicest person ever!

New in to the gallery are the amazing two tone coloured hand stitched leather key rings.

Perfect present material!

Hi I’m Louise and I make luxury hand stitched leather goods for humans and their hounds. I work from my shepherds hut workshop at my home on Dartmoor.
My interest in leather started when I was given a leather sandwich box from my grandmother, she used it as a young girl when she went hunting. This box is now probably nearly 100 years old and is still in a great condition. I love that vegetable tanned leather has the potential to last so long when well cared for and to be passed down through generations.
I hand stitch all the leather products that I make using a method called saddle stitch as this gives them a superior strength and durability and looks beautiful. The leather that I use is vegetable tanned which takes a longer time to produce but is hard wearing and has the most fantastic smell. My bags are made to be used every day, the leather develops a rich patina over time and looks better with age and use.

Initially I took part in a weekend introduction to leatherwork course which I loved and from there I wanted to increase my skills.This led to bag making courses, a leather restoration course, advanced leather working and a bridlework course and also hours of practise! Then testing my ideas on family and friends until I began taking my work to craft fairs and events.
As well as making products for these events I also take commissions and do some repairs.

Follow - @lgleather

'Artist & Maker Spotlights' - Ceramicist Marieke Ringel

Over the past few years we've admired Marieke's magnificent animal ceramic sculptures at The Craft Festival at Bovey Tracey, Devon.
Last year after seeing her work pop up again on instagram we plucked up the courage to see if Marieke would like to stock Moon & Moor with her beautiful animal sculptures, to our joy she said yes!

We love having hr work in the gallery, they get so much attention and joyous new homes are now adorned with these creations.

Hello, I'm Marieke,

Animals have always played a major role in my life. They are source of fascination and inspiration. Grown up in the countryside of south west Germany animals have been constant companions.”

Before studying Ceramic Art at Burg Giebichenstein in Halle, Germany, I was trained as a potter in Landshut, Bavaria. It was very important to me to learn as much as I could about clay, designing my own slips and glazes, firing techniques and how to solve problems before my studies of Ceramic Art. In the five year Diploma course at University, I found a way to express myself, to work from the heart - creating animal sculptures and exploring the relationships between humans and (other) animals.
Since 2015 I live and work in Moretonhampstead, a small town located on Dartmoor, in the south west of England.

I work in stoneware clay and locally found clays from Dartmoor. I generally build my sculptures solid, and hollow them out when they are leather hard. This allows me to work the piece with more eypression, I don’t have to be very careful when I add and substract clay in the process.

I consider a piece finished when I can sense a feeling, an emotion, “something” coming across from the animals expression or gesture. This is possibly the most essential part of my work. By creating this kind of connection to my work and ultimately with my work and the viewer, I try to tighten the gap between humans and other animals, I seek to create a sense of essential relatedness between mammals. The equine and canine subject are of particular interest to me, their history and deep connection to human kind are fascinating and compelling to me.

Follow Marieke - @marieke.ringel

Artist & Maker Spotlights - Rachael Larsson-Carter Textiles

Starting our ‘Spotlights’ is the lovely Rachael Larsson-Carter Textiles.

We first spotted Rachaels beautiful macramé plant hangers at the Fore Street Flea Market, in Exeter, just after we had opened Moon & Moor Gallery and feel in love with her sustainable ethos, colour combinations and cord she uses and the unique variations of knotting techniques created. . .

‘Hello, I’m Rachael, the maker behind Larsson-Carter Textiles. I handcraft sustainable Macramé homewares and gifts. 

All of my products are made with 100% recycled cotton cord which has been ethically sourced. This eco-friendly cord is a by-product of the fashion industry. I use a variety of colours and cords which are current and on trend from the fashion companies which would have otherwise gone into landfill. 

The ethos of my creative business is all about sustainable textiles, zero waste, zero plastic. The materials I use are environmentally friendly, including bamboo hoops and wooden rings. This means that everything I make is recyclable and biodegradable. Although plant hangers are my best sellers, I also create macramé bottle holders, yoga mat straps and celebration archways.

Yes, you might be right in thinking that macramé is a bit of a 70’s flashback! This craft of creative knotting is now in the midst of an enthusiastic rival...along with some seventies bohemian nostalgia. Plant hangers and wall hangings are hitting UK homes quite literally with rattan and bamboo furnishings against over-sized indoor plants and macramé hangings adding texture and colour to any interior. 

I hope you love my macramé plant hangers as much as I love making them for Moon and Moor!’

-Rachael Larsson-Carter