People and Places

SIMON LAURIE Marie Stuart acrylic on board

Please join us for drinks this Easter Saturday to launch our new exhibition 'People and Places'. The exhibition celebrates portraiture in diverse forms from wood carving and collage to oil paint. The 'Places' vary from France and India to the North of Scotland.

We are honoured to have one of Scotland's finest portrait painters, Ewan McClure, join us in the gallery for the Opening. Between 11am and 1pm Ewan will be painting a portrait of someone who will be a well known face to many of you -  artist and picture framer Leo Blamire.

EWAN McCLURE Self Portrait

Ewan McClure was a selected artist for the BP Portrait Awards, and Scottish finalist of Sky Arts Portrait Painter of the Year 2013.

The exhibiting artists are: Michael J Ashcroft, George Donald RSA RSW, Sue Dunne, Claire Harrigan RSW, Simon Laurie RGI RSW, Tracy Levine, Mary Lloyd, Ewan McClure, Alexander R Robb.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, or during the exhibition, which runs until Saturday 14th June.

Matt Baker - Quorum

Matt Baker - Quorum (detail)

As part of the Galloway Forest Easter Festival last Sunday I went on a guided walk with artist Matt Baker. Matt took us to see his wonderful stone carvings 'Quorum' which are nestled in the Galloway hills near Clatteringshaws. The carved heads have been there for nearly twenty years and feel very much part of the place. I loved the colourful lichens that have formed beautiful patterns on the faces, even giving the head pictured above 'eyebrows'.

We then walked to Colin Rose's 'The Eye' on the edge of Black Loch and through the forest to the Murray Monument. Matt gave us a fascinating insight into the geological history of the landscape. He spent eight weeks in a residency in that part of the country and we heard about the other pieces he created, which have now been lost to the deforestation.

It was a real treat to spend such a long time talking to an artist about his inspirations and processes and we covered a good few other topics too. All in all a great way to spend Sunday afternoon.

Matt Baker - Quorum (detail)

George Donald RSA RSW

Jill with George Donald RSA RSW

We're getting ready for our 'People and Places' exhibition which opens on Easter Saturday, the 19th April.

George Donald RSA RSW delivered his work today. It was very exciting to see the paintings. George told us some interesting tales of his travels and when you look at his work you can see what an influence his experience of different cultures has on his rich, atmospheric work.

George commented that Antony might just be his favourite dog!

The largest painting of George's in this exhibition is a dreamy composition, featuring a whippet.

GEORGE DONALD RSA RSW Silver River Dreaming mixed media