Looking out from the studio windows, the valley, river Rede and hills, dotted with outcrops, woodlands,
windblasted hedges, sheep, cattle and wildlife it is no surprise where Mary Ann Rogers draws her inspiration.
A million paintings in her head, but not enough hours in the day, Mary Ann Rogers finds chance encounters
take her to pig farms, private exotic bird collections, wildlife and waterfowl parks, zoos and safari parks
as well as the hills and field surrounding her home. Her enthusiasm, curiosity and desire is to study, draw
and paint new subjects, as well as those which she returns to as the seasons come round again each year.
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Gallery open Sundays 2-5 pm year round, also during summer and Christmas Art Tour dates.
Leam Studio is situated in the heart of northumbrian hill country in the Rede Valley, just off the main A68
route to Scotland, and surrounded by evidence of earlier communities – the roman settlement ‘Habitancum’
shows up clearly on the other side of the valley, and the recently restored 12th century Low Leam bastle,
or fortified farmhouse, lies tucked into the hillside a short walk away. www.wildredesdale.co.uk.
Hadrian’s wall dominates the landscape just 15 miles south of West Woodburn, where the famous emperor
Hadrian built a wall from east to west to keep the marauding Scots out of the Roman empire. Visitor
centres along the Wall help walkers, tourists, history students etc discover the roman history and its
remains in our county.
Within a short drive lie the Cheviot hills,within Northumberland National Parks
www.northumberlandnationalpark.org.uk marking the northernmost tip of the Pennines, or
the ‘backbone’ of England, with its superb river and lake fishing, walking and cycling routes
where you will find yourself alone with nature. Just an hour’s drive east is Alnwick, home of
the Duke Of Northumberland, and Alnwick Garden, the most magnificent garden in Europe, brainchild
of the Duchess of Northumberland www.alnwickgarden.com the stunning Northumbrian coastline,
with endless empty beaches and craggy outcrops dotted with castles from all ages which have
featured in many blockbuster films.
Mary Ann Rogers is member of Network, Artists in Northumberland, www.networkartists.org.uk
a network of over 160 artists and craftspeople. She regularly takes part in the summer Art
Tour, Northumberland’s most popular visual arts event, which takes place in June and July
every year. Your chance to visit over 70 artists’ workplaces, meet the artists and discover
their creative processes, as well as the chance to buy or commission an original piece of artwork.
If you are planning a special trip to Northumberland, Mary Ann is happy to provide information
about a range of local accommodation to suit all tastes and pockets, from spa hotels with
international golf courses and facilities to cosy B&Bs. Please email for details info@marogers.com.
