I’m back at the easel, getting started on new paintings for exhibitions in the summer.
Winter is a good time to get going on new work. I love lighting the fire, making the studio all cosy and sitting down to paint. It’s not always that easy – coffee also helps!
As well as paintings, I’m planning some new ceramics and new additions to my range of mugs – stay tuned for more details soon.
I was lucky enough to have a wee commission over the festive season – a sunny picture of Ryvoan Bothy. It was a pleasure to paint such a cheery image while it was all snowy and cold outside.
It’s always a pleasure to get the chance to exhibit paintings further afield so I’m delighted that some of my fishy paintings will be at the annual Strathpeffer Art Fair.
The show started today (Thursday November 23) and runs until Sunday. This is a huge exhibition and sale taking place at the village’s lovely Victorian pavilion. It’s my second year taking part alongside scores of Highland artists and I can thoroughly recommend it for a visit.
Opening hours are:
Friday 24th Nov – 10am-8pm
Saturday 25th Nov – 10am-6pm
Sunday 26th Nov – 10am-2pm
Blue and Gold by Angus Grant
Green Highlander
Mayfly Rise
And because your Christmas shopping missions continue for a few more weeks, I’ll be at Castle Fraser, Inverurie, on Saturday and Sunday with the Exclusively Highlands event. More information here.
And for good measure, I’ll also be represented at a wee fair closer to home, at The Pagoda in Grantown. This event runs on Sunday only, 10am-2pm. Got a wee helper going along!
Regular visitors will know how much I love Loch Morlich – for the scenery and for the fishing. The waters and the mountains are a constant source of inspiration for my art so when the chance came up to show work nearby at the Glenmore Visitor Centre, I could not refuse. It seems fitting to take my art back to where it started.
From July 21, I’ll be exhibiting a range of works at the centre, which is just off the main ski road to the Cairngorms. It’s a great wee venue providing information about the surrounding forest (run by Forestry Commission Scotland), and the cafe serves excellent cake, which is a bonus!
Among the works will be my railway poster series – with new additions to the collection specially for this show. The two paintings below – of Loch Morlich and the Lily Loch – are works in progress. And I’ll have the pine prints and mugs, including my new chunky fishy mugs.
The exhibition will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm and will run for around 10 days. Looking forward to meeting lots of new people down there!
One of my further flung events this year is on the other side of the Cairngorms, deep in Deeside.
I’m really excited to have been invited to take part in the annual Art Aboyne exhibition this year for the first time. It includes a fantastic range of 2D and 3D works from more than 60 artists. From paintings and jewellery to sculpture and photography: something for everyone to enjoy.
The show is held at the Victory Hall in the centre of the village, from July 22 to August 12 and is open from 10am-6pm every day.
The exhibition committee even organise artists’ demonstrations. When I visited last year, there was a wood turner set up outside the hall, displaying his skills by making tiny goblets!
Got some new paintings framed for the various shows I’m involved in (See Exhibitions page and Events and Workshops page for more details of where I’ll be). A couple of classic fish portraits and a favourite view of Loch Morlich, looking up to the Cairngorms.
There’s a few more in the pipeline, which I’ll try and share when they’re done!
My first summer exhibition is approaching fast. I’m joining Campbell Bryson (former head of art at Grantown Grammar) for a show at the Iona Gallery in Kingussie in July.
We’ve both got similar influences but distinctive styles and I’m delighted that we’re going to be exhibiting together again.
Campbell’s work focus on the effects of sunlight and shadows, producing expressive landscapes featuring Highland beaches and his trademark birch trees.
I’m working on some new paintings but will be showing my recent series based on the vintage railway posters as well as others featuring local lochs.
The show runs from July 7-14. And you’re welcome to come to opening night on Friday July 7, from 7pm-9pm – there’ll be a wee glass of wine or soft drink to celebrate!
