< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE Kerry Darlington was born in a coastaltown in North Wales, where her passionfor art was first sparked by the richromantic images in old picture books.This led to her discovery of Raphaelitepainting and Art Nouveau, and theinfluence of each is easy to seethroughout her impressive oeuvre. Despite this early fascination, Kerryopted for a degree in illustration in themid-nineties. Her original intention wasto follow a career in book illustration,perhaps in an attempt to pass on thesame surge of inspiration she hadenjoyed thumbing through picture booksas a child. After finishing her degree, Kerry workeda spell in South America, soaking up theculture before returning to the UK. Shemade good on her dreams and beganworking as a designer and illustrator for anexclusive company. Here she specialised insplendour and iridescence of stained glass,are formed on board or canvas beforeusing textures and gesso. Colour is thenbuilt on top in multiple transparent layers.This approach creates depth, leaving theviewer feeling as though they could reachout and climb inside. As with her early inspiration with picturebooks, stories have had a profound andpersonal effect on Kerry. “Thanks to myMother, stories were part of my life longbefore I was able to pick up a pencil,” shesays. “The magic of words held in storiesof myth and legend lies deep within theancient, unchangeable part of me.”Art predates the written word as ameans of telling stories, something Kerrychannels in every new piece she makes.“Once I began to draw, stories andpaintings were always intertwined,inseparable,” she explains. “I have alwaysThis month we explore thework of Kerry Darlington, ahighly respected andsought after artist whosepieces combine storybookillustration withromanticism for some ofthe most startling imagesever to grace these pages. sculpted clay murals for private residentsacross the Middle East, United ArabEmirates and the USA. This, combinedwith her own native Wales, her SouthAmerican period and the verdant riches ofher own imagination, means Kerry’s workdraws from a wide pull of influences,which coalesce into stunning works. Reading illustration meant that Kerryworked only in pen and ink, perfectingher drawing skills, before addingwatercolours to her portfolio and, laterstill, acrylic and oil. Not confined to paintand ink alone, and spurred on by herexperience with clay murals, Kerry beganpainting on heavy textures. Her acrylic paintings, with all theimaginingsRomantic To see more of Kerry’s work, visitwww.kerrydarlington.co.uk, or get in touch on Twitter@kerrydarlington or Facebook @KerryDarlingtonArt 20-21_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:23 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21THE LITTLE REDGALLERYLove art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat.The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas.8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE01522 5891348 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DPart@thelittleredgallery.co.ukwww.thelittleredgallery.co.ukARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE been a dreamer and not very good withwords, so art is my way of translating thecosmic knowledge that is bound to myimagination. Ideas often come to mewhilst I listen to a story, or a poem, ormusic. Or silence within a meditation. Ilearn from my paintings. As I paint them,they teach me.”Thirteen years ago, Kerry took theplunge and became a self-employedartist where she sold decorative abstractson eBay. Her works clearly resonated withbuyers and popularity snowballed. Only ayear later, she was spotted by a galleryand a publishing agent who took on theduty of selling her work. She now worksindependently from her own home studioin North Wales.As well as releasing several illustrationbooks, Kerry has also enjoyed numerousindustry accolades, winning the ‘Best-Selling Published Artist’ award from theFine Art Trade Guild. And the success andplaudits haven’t stopped there. Kerry isamong the most sought after artistsworking in the UK today, with hundredsof loyal collectors across the country andoverseas. You can see her work first-handyourself, and The Little Red Gallery inLincoln. 20-21_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:23 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSpring may officially have sprung butthe borders are looking somewhatdecimated and my lawn is going to needsome serious TLC to get it back to itsformer glory; especially since we had afamily of moles visiting their relativeswhile we were away. I couldn’t even visit any readersgardens this month as everyone seems inthe same boat, so as to speak. So, inneed of inspiration myself this month, Iflicked through a few back issues ofLincolnshire Today, to cheer myself up. And, the variety of gardens we’dphotographed over the past 12 monthsproved a great tonic – a true testimony tothe skills of green fingered readersthroughout our County, as you’ll see overthe next few pages.From simple paths to intricatestructures, it just goes to show how ourgardens recover - from small towngardens through to those with enoughacres to graze sheep! The one thing theyhave in common, is the dedication ofreaders who’ve transformed their gardeninto a veritable oasis.Some include a water feature for thatadded sensory appeal – and havingvisited more than one or two gardenswith such features, I can testify there’snothing quite like the sound of waterbubbling from a fountain on a hotsummers day (well, we’re bound to getat least one of those aren’t we?) There’s no end to the ingenuity ofView toa chill If you’re like me, you’re probably looking out at the gardenand wondering when we’ll see the back of this snow andrain. Try as I might, holding a brolly in one hand anddigging with the other just doesn’t seem right in April.22-25_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:28 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDENSgardeners, either, as those with smallergardens demonstrate, using containers ortubs lined with pond liner to create awater feature.Those blessed (or cursed depending onhow you look at it) with a slopedlandscape, have the ‘opportunity’ ofcreating a babbling brook down to apond, which proves an excellent way toattract wildlife it seems. Then we have those wonderful gardenstructures which seem to be getting moreand more creative with each passing year.We’ve come across our fair share ofarches, and pergolas adding height andinterest to a garden and allowing you the© Shutterstock / LI CHAUSHU 24 Á22-25_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:29 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSopportunity to grow climbers that youmight otherwise not be able to growelsewhere. But take a look at some ofthese gardens and you’ll see some fairlyunique creations, such as: a living sofamade from Buxus Sempivirens, she-shedsthat put the humble man cave to shameand arches made of leylandii, trained togrow in arches and offering quitespectacular views through them. Then there’s those private areas createdby careful planting of shrubs and trees –a spot to relax and unwind away fromprying eyes and a place to duck for coverif, or rather when, the heavens suddenlyopen.Let’s also not forget those wonderfulgarden sculptures and ornaments thatseem to be growing, once again, inpopularity. For busy people like myself,and those of us who just can’t seem tomaster that art of creating year-roundinterest with plants alone, I find the oddbit of Objet d’art here and there a veryeasy way to fill a gap in a border ,especially when everything else in thegarden is dormant. They give ussomething to enjoy in the wintermonths when plants just refuse to put inan appearance or are covered by snow;when we’re not chasing moles from onemole hill to another that is or wonderinghow they’ve escaped the traps yet again. You’ll also see from our readersgardens that many have integrated alittle mood lighting in their gardens,which works wonders on an evening.This is an idea I’ve admired at many agarden and adopted in my own. I mustsay the waterfall looked ratherspectacular covered in snow when lit bymy LED spotlights as the ‘Beast from the22-25_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:29 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25GARDENSmillstonegardencentre.co.uk01472 828 150 Cheapside, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HX Mon to Sat: 8:00—5:00pm. Sun: 10—4pmQUALITYTURFFROM 1mTO 1000m2 GRADESQUALITYTOPSOILFrom £40per tonEASY TO USE!HUGE RANGE OF QUALITY COMPOSTSAll major top quality brands availableImprove the soil in planters, beds and borders. Manure also in stockSUPERB STONEHard-to-find rockery stone. Limited stock!Various types & numerous sizesTREES & SHRUBSTreat your garden to something special!XPERT ADVICEEXPERT ADVICEFree expert advice fromexperienced professionalsFree expert advice fromexperienced professionalsRAILWAY SLEEPERS5 Types Aged & NewAll pressure treatedMANYUSES!AGGREGATESNumerous colours, sizes &textures of Stone ChippingsAvailable in bulk or baggedAGED HALF BARRELSOld Whisky Barrels2 Sizes. WatertightSTYLISH &DURABLE!BRILLIANT BEDDINGPrimroses, Pansies, Violas & multi-packKindergarden plugs & seedlingsCharles H Hill Ltd. Moor Lane, Horsington,Woodhall Spa, LN10 5HH.Tel: 01526 388281www.charleshhill.co.ukEast’ hit. Of course, those herbaceous perennials will soon becoming through and helping to soften the edges of ourpaths and lawns, and we’ll soon be out (I hope)propagating or acquiring a few more plants to add toour borders. At least, we will if the rain ever stops! Just rememberto have fun with it and create a space that suits yourlifestyle. More importantly, if you’re one of the lucky fewto have a garden that blooms early, drop us a line and afew images and we’ll be happy to include it in yourfavourite county magazine. Now, where’s my welliesand brolly? 22-25_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:29 Page 426 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYThere are the obvious choices that you need tomake such as the colour, thickness and surfacefinish that you want, and as there are a number ofmaterials you can use such as sandstone, granite,limestone, slate or concrete you will have lots of options. Ifyou are unsure what to use then maybe look at the garden asa whole and see what would fit in better, and also considerwhat would suit your property.If you choose a product that is permeable, make sure it is ahigh-quality otherwise the frost may get in. If you want aproduct that is non-permeable then I would advise you toensure that there is a drainage system present to help directsurface water away. However, there are so many permeableor porous products available you should be able to findsomething you like. The maintenance of your paving will besimilar no matter what you choose. You will need toperiodically jet wash or brush it and use a cleaning fluid. Thefrequency of jet-washing will be determined by localconditions, but twice a year should be sufficient. Another aspect that many people are more aware of nowwhen they choose their paving is whether the product isethically sourced. For example, many companies that sellIndian sandstone will make sure that it has come from aquarry in India where the stone is quarried and processed to astrict standard of Ethically Trading Initiative. These initiativesensure there is no child labour, fair wages and that safeWith spring in full bloom youmay be starting to lookforward to sitting out in thegarden, to enjoy the longerevening and watch yourgarden come to life. This iswhen the humble patio areacomes into its own. If you arethinking about creating apatio area or upgrading your existing one thereare a few things you may want to consider, asEd Fuller from Fullers Forestry andLandscaping explains.Getting theperfect patio26-27_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:30 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27working conditions are provided and maintained. A product that has recently become very popular ingardens is porcelain paving. There are many advantages tousing porcelain over sandstone paving such as porcelain ismore resistant to severe weather conditions and does not fadeover time, unlike sandstones. Porcelain is also easier tomaintain and clean and it is stronger. Both porcelain andsandstone are porous, however porcelain does not absorb asmuch water it allows more to flow though. Therefore thismeans that you less likely to have moss and algae grow onporcelain paving. Porcelain may cost slightly more but is aninvestment worth making.Porcelain is also good to use instead of a decking. You canget some porcelain paving which looks like wood. It is veryrealistic but, unlike a real wood decking, it won’t rot andtherefore will last a great deal longer. If you are thinking of creating a new patio, or upgradingyour existing one it is always better to call in the experts.They will be quicker at laying it due to their skills andexpertise and they will make sure it is done correctly. This isespecially the case if you are wanting porcelain as it laiddifferently to normal paving and so an expert will ensure it isinstalled correctly. After all you want your patio area to last formany more years to come.Images show projects carried out by Fullers LandscapingSpecialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comAround thegarden• Keep weeds under control•Mow your lawn (lowering the blades gradually)•Dig in a layer of compost into your beds•Deadhead daffodils but leave the foliage intact allowing it to die back naturally, so they’ll bloom again next year•Sow hardy annuals and herb seeds•Feed hungry shrubs and roses•Keep bird baths and bird feeders topped up to encourage birds to your garden•Plant out perennials in groups of three, five or seven•Protect fruit blossom from late frosts•Divide bamboos and waterliliesGARDENS26-27_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:31 Page 228 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLincolnshire The Equinox in March heralds the start ofspring, but for many of us, the season only truly beginsafter hearing the unmistakable call of the commoncuckoo. St. Tiburtius Day falls on April 14 and istraditionally when you hear the first cuckoo call of theyear, something Rudyard Kipling celebrated in hisfamed Cuckoo Song: “Cuckoo, bring yoursong here/ Warrant, Act andSummons, please/ For Spring topass along here”.The sound of a cuckoo callis inseparable from ruralEngland, though fewerand fewer can claim tohaving heard it first-hand. The best time tolisten out is eveningsbetween mid-April andJune. Though it’s often upto chance, cuckooenthusiasts claim to hearingthe bird regularly in Crowlandnear the Cambridgeshire border. Only the common cuckoo lives up toits onomatopoeic namesake, and then only themales make the calls. Female cuckoos, on the other hand,have a bubbly song that has been described as runningwater or even as a bath emptying. Though the bird haslong been associated with British wildlife, it is a relativelyrecent visitor to our shores, with the oldest reliableThe Cuckoo is one of the most enigmatic and distinctive visitors tothese shores, gracing us with its presence for a few fleeting monthsbefore disappearing again in summer. Lincolnshirewildlifeaccount only dating back as far back as the early fifties. Though the bird will indulge in all manner of insects,hairy caterpillars are said to be among its favourites. It isto them what a plate of fish and chips is to mostyellowbellies. Cuckoos may very well feed on the ground,but they are clumsy walkers, possessing none of thegrace one might associate with them. Thislikely has something to do with itsdistinguishing zygodactyl talons,where the two inner toes pointforward and the two outerbackward. If their call is the bird’ssingle most well-knownattribute, the other is thatthey’re brood parasites,meaning they lay theireggs in the nests of otherbirds. Female cuckoos differfrom other birds in that theylay eggs during the afternoonrather than mornings as isobserved across the majority ofBritish birds. After laying their eggs, cuckoos flee ourshores in summer in favour of Asia and Africa until it’stime to arrive again next year. With April again upon us,don’t waste the opportunity. Get yourself out and see ifyou can hear the cuckoo call. There’s nothing else quitelike it.© Shutterstock / Piotr Krzeslak 28-29_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:35 Page 1© Shutterstock / Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH 28-29_Layout 1 19/03/2018 11:35 Page 2Next >