Summer is gone – it’s pretty dreich outside the studio. And I know it’s too early to say it, but my thoughts are turning to Christmas.
This year, I’ve got a special festive product. If you have been following my work for the past few years, you’ll remember my wee robin mugs. Well, they’re back!
Look out for this one at my craft fairs over the next few months. But they’re making a flying visit to the Highland Wildlife Park!
My summer of craft fairs starts this weekend at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, with Exclusively Highlands. It’s always a busy one in the Highland capital and this time I will among a range of businesses demonstrating their craft.
Eden Court Theatre craft fair
I’ll be doing a spot of painting so the easel will be up and I’ll be chipping away at some new works. I’m looking forward to fielding your questions about how to paint a Highland landscape.
The craft fair is on Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-5pm both days. Free entry!
Another summer exhibition is over. Thanks to Logie Steading for having me. The Long Room was a lovely place to show my art. It was great to meet new people and to do some painting in the sunshine. Thanks to everyone who came and chatted about art and fishing.
If you missed it, there’s second chance to see some of the paintings online soon and at the High St Merchants in Grantown during August. I’ll let you know when they’re up.
Thanks to everyone who has come to the Superfly at Logie Steading so far – particularly since there’s been so many things competing for your attention, not least the sunshine! I really appreciate your visit.
I’m delighted with how the show looks and what’s been extra special is having my wee boy there too. This time last year, during my show in Kingussie, we were waiting for him to arrive. It’s lovely to be able to show him the paintings and watch him crawl around and pull himself up on chairs. He got one of the best views of the work as you can tell from the above photo.
I’m here all week, so there’s plenty of time to make it along. You can find The Long Room easily from the car park at Logie. It’s beside the Garden Shop. See you soon.
The paintings are up, the sun is out and I’ve got ice lollies in the freezer for a lucky few visitors. Superfly is now open at Logie Steading.
I’m in the Long Room, which is beside the Farm and Garden Shop. It’s a great space to show paintings and I’m really excited to be here.
Just 10 days to go before the launch of the exhibition and I’m busy with a range of different tasks: painting, framing, publicity, etc, etc.
But I am really looking forward to showing my new work. The fishy paintings are always a pleasure.
You can now see a wee preview of the paintings on my Gallery page. I’m interested to hear what you think.
I’m really excited that my ranges of mugs, pine prints and cards are now on sale at the Highland Wildlife Park. I am lucky to be one of a number of local artists with work in the gift shop.
The display was set up at the weekend and is looking great.
I also got the chance to have a wander around the park as well. I saw the polar bears – including the newest arrival playing around – the snow monkeys and wildcats kittens. And for the first time when I’ve visited, the elusive wolverine was out and about. The fantastic weather just capped the day.
I’m looking forward to working with the park: it’s a brilliant visitor attraction.
And look out for my new polar bear mug – it’s coming soon!
I’m excited to reveal details of my new summer exhibition, Superfly, which is on at Logie Steading from June 30 – July 8.
As you know, I’ve been working on loads of new paintings, trying to capture the magic of fishing that you don’t see because it’s underwater. These new works feature fishing flies that have just been cast across the loch. I’ve been striving to portray the way the light goes through the water. It’s all about showing how the bubbles and ripples distort the reflective film of the water.
I’ve also been inspired by the big fancy camera they used on the BBC’s Blue Planet 2 and I’ve tried to show what’s above and below the surface. Painting in this way allows me to add greater context to the underwater pictures.
The exhibition will be in the Long Room at Logie Steading, near Forres. The Long Room is between the whisky shop and farm shop, right next to the car park so you can’t miss it!
And you’re invited to the launch night on June 30, from 6-8pm, when you can enjoy your art with a wee glass of something and I’ll be around to chat about the paintings (or fishing!)
My craft fair season starts next month with Truck In2 Grantown.
There’s going to be more than a hundred lorries taking part in this charity event, which is taking place for the first time on Saturday May 12. The day kicks off with a massive convoy down the High Street, followed by a big display at the showfield. There will be trade stalls and entertainment, including an aftershow dance.
The whole thing is to support Friends of the Neuro Ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
As well as this, I’ve been adding more events to the summer schedule: you can see the full calendar on my Events page.
Not been painting much this week. But I did manage to get out on the waters of Loch Morlich for some fishing.
I also had a go at taking pictures of my fly just beneath the surface. It’s one of my favourites – the olive green nymph – and it was the one that netted me a delicious trout earlier.
But on reviewing the photos, all I was getting was my feet. Very frustrating and confusing: I thought there must be something wrong with the camera.
First attempt: that round thing on the left is the lens cap
After a few attempts, I thought to turn off the two second timer, and hey presto – I started getting the pictures that I wanted.
However, I think the photos with the timer on were still pretty good. As Bob Ross would say: “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.”
Two second timer off
