News
17/03/2009 - Tadcaster farmers branch out into world of art:Wetherby Times
A TADCASTER farming couple have branched out into the world of art to help the region's painting prodigies sell their work online.
Andrew and Angela Kay, who farm 100 acres at Colton near Tadcaster, have secured £5,000 funding from the Yorkshire Agricultural Society's Growing Routes scheme to launch their on-line gallery and art store, Cowbyre Artworks.
The couple, who manage a herd of 45 cows and supply Hereford beef to Waitrose, will display a range of artworks from the traditional to the modern on their new website business.
Self-taught artist Andrew, 37, a regular exhibitor at Gallery 42 in Tadcaster said he and his wife, Angela, planned to sell the art work on behalf of the artist in exchange for a commission.
"Although I did not take formal examinations in art, I've always loved drawing and painting, mostly horses and animals and abstract works, and started being approached to do commissions," he said.
"I've always realised that, although there are lots of hugely-talented amateur artists, most are motivated by love of what they do and, although their work is good enough to sell, they do not always know how to go about it as it is hard to get the right help.
"I wanted to create an on-line gallery to display and sell my own work but, because I am busy with the farm, I could not justify setting it up based only on my output.
"So together we came up with the idea of inviting others in a similar position to join us in this venture concentrating on the wealth of talent among self-taught artists."
Former marketer Angela added: "We've already had a huge amount of interest just by word of mouth so far.
"We know this project has a great future and we want to hear from other Yorkshire self taught and recreational artists who would like to become part of it."
The couple are also planning a series of formal, self-taught art exhibitions throughout Yorkshire entitled Art At The Mart, the first of which will be held at York Livestock Centre, Murton, York, on May 16.
Visit www.cowbyreartworks.co.uk to view the new enterprise or to find out more.
The couple, who manage a herd of 45 cows and supply Hereford beef to Waitrose, will display a range of artworks from the traditional to the modern on their new website business.
Self-taught artist Andrew, 37, a regular exhibitor at Gallery 42 in Tadcaster said he and his wife, Angela, planned to sell the art work on behalf of the artist in exchange for a commission.
"Although I did not take formal examinations in art, I've always loved drawing and painting, mostly horses and animals and abstract works, and started being approached to do commissions," he said.
"I've always realised that, although there are lots of hugely-talented amateur artists, most are motivated by love of what they do and, although their work is good enough to sell, they do not always know how to go about it as it is hard to get the right help.
"I wanted to create an on-line gallery to display and sell my own work but, because I am busy with the farm, I could not justify setting it up based only on my output.
"So together we came up with the idea of inviting others in a similar position to join us in this venture concentrating on the wealth of talent among self-taught artists."
Former marketer Angela added: "We've already had a huge amount of interest just by word of mouth so far.
"We know this project has a great future and we want to hear from other Yorkshire self taught and recreational artists who would like to become part of it."
The couple are also planning a series of formal, self-taught art exhibitions throughout Yorkshire entitled Art At The Mart, the first of which will be held at York Livestock Centre, Murton, York, on May 16.
Visit www.cowbyreartworks.co.uk to view the new enterprise or to find out more.