In the Studio

 

Just had a fantastic if exhausting weekend at a workshop in Edinburgh College of Art. The theme was painting and colour.

Our excellent tutor, Robbie Bushe introduced a variety of methods of painting with acrylic and then we were let loose in the studio.

Colourful buckets and fabrics, the odd skeleton and some other bits and bobs formed a backdrop for our model. Here he is, just exiting my little painting. This was done on a black (payne's grey actually) background.

Other techniques included starting with a tonal monochrome underpainting, that I liked, and a Seurat style approach at which I failed miserably.

Watch this space for an example of my narrative work!

Curly Wurly and Seaside Rock

 

 

These little sweetie abstracts are on the wall in Leakey's Bookshop and Cafe in Inverness.

I love doing the whole texture thing and playing around with colour and pattern. One never knows quite what will appear. Such fun.

There are other Art Society of Inverness artists on the wall (not literally though that could make a fine surreal exhibition) and some interesting work from a group based outside Inverness.

Have a coffee and check it out!

Follow the Path

 

Where did the last six weeks go? Festivities, family and flu! Now the bulbs are pushing through and the days here in the far North are getting longer. Hurray!

Some of the local galleries close the early part of the year. Beauly Gallery opens again this week, (8th Feb.) spruced up and with lots of new work.

"Follow the Path" is one of my wintry paintings. The stark trees, an icy path but the warmth of spring promised in the sky. Can you find the wee bit of map?

Snow Falling ThroughTrees

 

What a busy time of year this is! Does much painting get done I wonder?

I had the best intentions to make some hand painted Christmas cards but it didn't quite happen. However, inspired by the snow laden trees and Ingeborg Smith's lovely quirky paintings, I produced several little works like this one above.

This wintry weather can cause total chaos but the landscape can be starkly beautiful, especially in our low northern light. I haven't quite managed to make the most of it by painting outside. Memory and imagination in a warmish studio do me just fine.

A couple more days till the winter solstice, then roll on more hours of daylight.

Sometimes I think I am blethering into the ether , but if anyone is out there, have a good mid-winter and all the best for 2011.

Strathpeffer Art Fair

 

If you are interested in art and live in the Highlands, then get along to the Strathpeffer Art Fair.

Hundreds of artworks, large and small are exhibited in the Strathpeffer Pavilion from Thursday till Sunday, not forgetting the convivial preview held tomorrow night (Wed 17th) 7 tll 9pm.

This mixed media painting takes a low flying bird's eye view of an Orkney sea shore. Now there's another place I'd highly recommend. Perfect for blowing away the cobwebs.

Autumn Exhibitions

 

I'm gradually getting back into some serious painting, not that serious, it's still fun, especially this painting which has gone through many incarnations. The Autumn/Christmas exhibitions are looming so my little attic studio will be well used this month. My head is buzzing with ideas. It's just a matter of translating that into some good artwork. Not always easy.
So, come November, there will be new exhibitions in Beauly Gallery, Tore Gallery and Inchmore (under new ownership)and the splendid Strathpeffer Art Fair runs from 17th to 21st November.

Guess where I've been!

 

Just back from Canada where I travelled from Calgary to Vancouver and Victoria.
The journey from Canmore to Jasper lives up to it's reputation as one of the best drives in the world. The views were absolutely astonishing, scenery on an epic scale. The landscape wasn't the only eye opener. There is a rich and vibrant history of Canadian First Nation art. This is the Thunderbird House Post, a replica by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Charlie James erected in Stanley Park, Vancouver. I didn't visit the museum with the original house post but I can thoroughly recommend the Royal British Columbia Museum in Victoria for it's First Nation collection.
First Nation art seems to be alive and kicking with lots of galleries and shops dedicated to selling good quality work.