Give Something Different This Christmas – Give the Gift of Art
Christmas has a habit of arriving sooner than expected, and with it comes the familiar question: what do you buy for someone who already seems to have everything?
At R Young Art Gallery, we think some of the best gifts are the ones that aren’t simply used and forgotten. A piece of art can become part of someone’s home and their story – something they can enjoy every day for years to come.
This Christmas, why not step away from the usual presents and choose something genuinely personal?
Art chosen especially for them
Choosing artwork for someone you love can feel incredibly personal. Perhaps a painting reminds you of a favourite walk together, a particular season, a much-loved city or simply captures colours and a mood you know they will adore.
Our gallery is filled with work from a wonderfully varied collection of artists, so there is plenty to discover – from atmospheric landscapes and contemporary woodland scenes to detailed illustration and distinctive cityscapes.
The beautiful woodland pieces currently in the gallery are a perfect example. Soft, misty birches in subtle neutral tones create a wonderfully calm atmosphere, while another bursts into life with warm autumnal yellows, touches of turquoise and expressive texture. They would make striking gifts for someone who loves nature and the changing seasons.
About the Artist - Heather Miller
Heather is a contemporary landscape painter based in Hertfordshire. Her paintings are rooted in the natural beauty she encounters during her daily walks and runs through the countryside.
Heather seeks to express the atmosphere and emotions of being immersed in nature. The experience of sketching and painting has the effect of helping her to see and feel the wonder of the world we live in. In this way each piece is an intuitive and heartfelt response to the landscape and the calm and solace that it brings. Her hope is that each time you return to her work you’ll uncover something new whether it’s an intriguing detail or a feeling that deepens your connection to the subject. In a busy world, she likes to think of her paintings as a quiet place to rest—a chance to pause, reflect, and connect and to bring those qualities into the home.
For something completely different, our intricately illustrated floral piece is full of details to discover. Flowers, foliage, berries, birds, insects and even a tiny snail combine in a wonderfully characterful composition. Its vibrant blue frame makes it an especially joyful piece – perfect for someone who enjoys art with a little personality.
About the Artist - Kelly Anne -Thorne
Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Kelly finds beauty in everything from the colourful bloom of flowers to the grace of animals and birds. Her current pieces combine vases and pots of flora and foliage which she has either received as a gift or spotted when out and about. She combines these with detailed birds, butterflies, or bugs to give life, movement and energy to the pieces. It is through the translucent washiness of watercolours and the layered textures and marks created by the pen that she celebrates the magnificence of nature.
For lovers of dramatic landscapes
Art can also transport us somewhere else.
The dramatic tree landscapes shown here have an almost dreamlike quality, combining rich colour, texture and silhouetted forms. Deep blues, glowing oranges and golden ochres give these works enormous presence, making them particularly suited to someone looking for a statement piece for their home. Printed on Aluminium, the have a metallic shine that paper prints just cannot do!
About the Artist - Mark Munroe Preston
Trees are the focus of Mark's art, transposing their energy as exceptional, complex organisms in our environment. The emphasis on trees also comes from an appreciation of how fundamental they are for sustaining human life - Many take for granted!
Each of Mark’s works is titled with the GPS coordinates of where the original photograph was taken so they can be found on interactive maps, encouraging others to experience the locations in person.
A little bit of city life
For those who love London, Jo Quigley captures the familiar bustle of the city in a wonderfully fresh and contemporary way. Rather than simply depicting the architecture, the people and their long shadows give the scene its life and character.
About the Artist - Jo Quigley
Jo's inspiration comes from life itself, and her favourite subjects are wildlife and people.
"Recently I have been fascinated with people in an urban environment. I am fortunate living so close to a big city where it is easy to observe and photograph people going about their daily lives. I particularly like places which are busy and where people congregate, as a result my paintings have become increasingly busy".
And for someone whose heart lies a little further north, the nostalgic industrial townscape shown here offers something very different. Mills, chimneys, terraced streets and tiny figures create a wonderfully evocative scene packed with details and stories.
About the Artist - Sean Durkin
Sean's journey into the art world began with an extraordinary childhood experience that would shape the course of his life. At the age of eight, he awoke one morning to discover an original L.S. Lowry painting resting on his family's mantelpiece. The artwork had been stolen the previous evening by his father, John Durkin, in what would become one of Britain's most unusual art thefts. Rather than seeking financial gain, the accompanying ransom note demanded improved gallery security, Sunday opening for working people to enjoy art, and, famously, that the local Mayor raffle his underpants for charity.
While the remarkable story captured national headlines, it was the painting itself that left the greatest impression on Sean. Fascinated by Lowry's distinctive "matchstick" figures and the evocative atmosphere of the scene, he found himself returning to the memory time and again. Years later, that unforgettable image inspired him to pick up a paintbrush and begin creating artwork of his own.
A present that lasts long after Christmas
One of the lovely things about giving art is that it doesn't have to be the biggest or most expensive present under the tree to be the most memorable.
It simply needs to be the right piece for the right person.
We have original paintings, limited edition and fine art prints, contemporary pieces and work to suit a range of tastes and budgets. As picture framers too, we can also help make sure your chosen artwork is beautifully presented and ready to become part of its new home.
Pop into R Young Art Gallery in Wokingham and enjoy a relaxed browse through the collection. You never know – the perfect Christmas present might already be hanging on our wall.
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