Lot 80: Sheila Fell R.A. (British, 1931-1979) Field Outside Aspatria 71 x 91.5 cm. (28 x 36 in.)

Field Outside Aspatria
signed 'Fell' (lower right), further signed, inscribed and dated 'S. FELL 1964 FIELD OUTSIDE ASPATRIA' (on the stretcher)
oil on canvas
71 x 91.5 cm. (28 x 36 in.)

Born in 1931, Fell spent her childhood living at 69 Queen Street, Aspatria, before leaving for art school in Carlisle and eventually London. Although she never returned to Cumbria to live, the area remained the driving force behind the majority of her work. Relying on frequent visits to the dramatic and captivating landscape she combined early childhood memories with a dreamlike, rhythmic intensity to create her dark, recognisable style. Although often visiting the North Cumbrian landscape, often with fellow artist L.S. Lowry, who was a keen supporter of Fell's work from an early stage, she preferred to paint in the urban confinement of her small London tenement flat.