False Alarm by Leigh Lambert

A Flash of Red Amidst the Grey

Leigh Lambert’s “False Alarm” provides a moment of vivid interruption in a landscape seemingly muted by time and industry. This fine art limited edition Giclée print vividly captures a scene that feels both nostalgic and immediate, thanks to Lambert’s careful use of colour. The artwork depicts a classic red fire engine speeding through a Northern town street, creating a focal point of activity.

A Townscape Unveiled

The majority of the scene presents itself in greyscale, showcasing rows of terraced houses with smoking chimneys that give us a glimpse of the town’s atmosphere. Children, again splashes of colour in their dresses, playfully chase after the fire engine, their excitement tangible. In contrast to the hurried fire engine, on the corner stands a quaint shop with a green and yellow facade. It provides a visual anchor and a sense of everyday life continuing despite the momentary alarm.

The Beauty of the Moment

Indeed, the composition is particularly effective in juxtaposing the urgency of the fire engine with the ordinary backdrop of the town. It makes viewers feel as though they’re observing a slice of life caught in a fleeting moment. Overall, Lambert’s style evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting the audience back to a simpler time when the sound of sirens and the sight of a fire engine were events of great excitement and curiosity. Consequently, “False Alarm” captures not only a moment, but also the spirit of a community.

Leigh Lambert

Leigh was born and raised in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, where he resided for the first twenty years of his life. Lambert began to draw as soon as he could hold a pencil, with his family quickly recognising his artistic flair. As he progressed through school his exceptionally detailed creations captured the attentions of his teachers, who admired his canny knack for capturing a view. However, the artist describes himself as mostly self-taught, having received no formal art qualifications or training.

Lambert relocated to Warwickshire with his family in 1996, where he focused on the development of his technique. It was on leaving Newcastle that he began to appreciate the nature of his upbringing; what he had once seen as a concrete jungle now seeming strangely beautiful. Taking inspiration from his childhood, Lamberts pieces have a strong sense of nostalgia, evoking fond memories of a youth that many can relate to.

Lambert is an accomplished artist across a range of media, most commonly working in oils on board. His use of colour is minimal, optimistically applying splashes only to the figures that play amidst the otherwise monochromatic landscapes, capturing the joy and vitality of youth.

Working from his garden studio, the artist has achieved great success in recent years. In 2014 he was shortlisted as Best Up and Coming Artist in the prestigious Fine Art Trade Guild Awards, and consequently his works are hugely sough-after. Limited editions often sell out within weeks, and waiting lists are in place for those hoping to acquire original paintings.

Click here to return to Leigh Lamberts Portfolio