I’ve made good progress with my underwater paintings this week. Starting to build up the rays of light beneath the surface and some of the ripples. Still some way to go. Looking forward to adding some bubbles, flies and maybe a wee fish or two.
Progress might be slower in the next few weeks – it’s the start of trout season!
Having a wee change from the colourful landscape and going back to some underwater pictures. I’ve been laying down some soft backgrounds today. This is my favourite part of painting: you feel super-productive as you can start 20 pictures at once. Check back in a week to see my progress.
I’ve added two new pine prints to the collection – Broomhill and Old Spey Bridge.
Anyone who has travelled between Aviemore and Grantown will know the billowing steam and the sound of the whistle of the Strathspey Railway engine as it takes passengers to Broomhill, near Nethy Bridge. I think it’s fitting that a series of paintings that has been inspired by old railway posters should have a railway image among them.
And the second is a bit closer to home – the Old Spey Bridge, a place full of childhood memories and loved by so many locals.
You can buy the two new prints – and the rest of the range at my online shop.
Or if you like to buy your pictures with a slice of cake, pop along to the 1896 Gallery & Coffee Shop in Boat of Garten where they are now on sale.
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.
Ryvoan Bothy
Merry Christmas to you all and thanks for your support this year. Looking forward to more adventures in 2018. Have a good one!
The early light reflected on a lovely frozen loch.
Newly added to my online shop – paintings from the series inspired by vintage railway posters. Now it’s easy to have a look at the work and buy online (with free shipping!).
Working on getting other galleries sorted, including some fishy pictures.
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
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!
I haven’t managed to add a soundtrack, but have managed to condense about 10 hours of painting into less than a couple of minutes. I seem to choose colours as decisively as I pick dinner from an appetising looking menu!
I’ve not long finished this commission for the wonderful Abernethy Trust. Pine prints and cards of the original are available to purchase from the outdoor centre in Nethy Bridge.
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!
Loch Morlich by Angus Grant
The Lily Loch by Angus Grant
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.
I’m showing a collection of fishy paintings – you can see a preview here.
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!
