News Beat
Heighington artist to appear on Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year
Michael Lumb, 57, from Heighington village, stepped into one of the coveted pods on Landscape Artist of the Year – the Sky Arts series that draws hundreds of hopefuls each season.
Presented by Stephen Mangan and judged by Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Eva Langret, the series brings together some of the country’s most promising landscape artists.
Filming for Michael’s heat took place last June in the heart of London’s St James’s Park, where contestants were given four hours to capture an iconic view.
Michael found himself among a select group of ‘pod artists’ setting up their easels in front of the park, with Buckingham Palace and the Queen Victoria Monument visible in the background.
Michael’s love of art began while he was a pupil at Woodham Comprehensive School, now Woodham Academy, in the 1980s.
He went on to study fine art at Manchester Polytechnic, now Manchester Metropolitan University, before starting a career in teaching.
However, after losing his love for the profession, Mr Lumb left teaching and has spent the past 25 years supporting his art through a variety of jobs. Today, he works as a civil servant, finding time to paint whenever he can.
His work has appeared across the region, from the Great North Art Show in Ripon to galleries in Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland and Darlington.
It was his wife, Vicki, who applied for Landscape Artist of the Year on his behalf.
“I didn’t think I’d stand any chance of getting on,” Michael said.
“When I got the telephone call telling me I’d been selected, I couldn’t believe it.”
His day of filming lasted 12 hours, including four hours to complete his competition painting.
He described the experience as unforgettable, adding: “It was one of the best things I’ve ever done. The production team at Storyvault Films were brilliant.
“I made some brilliant new artist friends from around the country and we rooted for each other. We have even kept in contact.”
Viewers can find out how Michael gets on by tuning into Landscape Artist of the Year when his heat is aired on Sky Arts next Wednesday, January 21, at 8pm.
The channel is available on Freeview (11/36) and Freely, or in HD via Sky, Virgin Media and NOW.
