Magical worlds in spiritual art at Warwick gallery

Love, hope and loss are the focus of a new collection of semi-abstract landscape paintings by Warwick artist Toni Storey.

Although her artistic career spans more than 30 years, for the past few years Toni has been devoting so much of her time to co-running the Mitchell Gallery in Warwick, that she has had a significant gap since her last exhibition.

But from next week, visitors to the gallery in Church Street can view her new Soul Scapes series of oil paintings, which Toni says present her imaginative response to nature and explore the emotions evoked by certain scenes.

She said: “I am inspired by myth, legend and poetry and these elements are purposefully woven into the complex tapestry of each painting, producing a sense of depth.

“I have heard people say that they want to ‘dive into’ my spiritual pictures and experience the ‘magical worlds’ I have created.”

Toni, who studied fine art at Leeds and Falmouth art schools, has worked as an artist in the UK and Canada on projects in interior design, set design and illustration and teaching art. Her work has been sold around the world in the public and private sectors.

Alongside Toni’s work, the Mitchell Gallery is showcasing new glass sculptures by international Stourbridge-based artist Jo Newman, who draws on the natural rhythms and patterns of landscapes.

The gallery also continues to exhibit paintings, glass and ceramic sculpture by owner Tom Mitchell and the Warwick Collection of scenes of the town by Milverton artist Kevin Parrish.

Toni and Jo will be at the gallery to discuss their works at a private view on Thursday from 6pm to 9pm and from then on, the exhibition will be open until the end of July. Entry is free. For further details, call 408787 or visit www.mitchellgallery.com