Blue Skies Ahead?

I see blue skies today!  Well, intermittently.  But look there they are, just above the gallery between that cloud and that tree!

Let's be honest, the general mood has been less than sunny for . . . how long is it now?  Job losses and general grumblings, worries and loss of confidence.  Retail has been hit hard, but I'm pleased to say that people are still buying art,  although I realise that unfortunately this isn't the case everywhere.

At one point during this difficult time I worried about the gallery being in the country, rather than in the city where there are obviously a lot more passers by.  But it seems when people know of a gallery they like, they make a point of going there, particularly if it's in a beautiful part of the world. 

These are the real art lovers and it's thanks to them that the Summer exhibition and previous exhibition have been a success.

So it's a big thanks to all the art lovers!  Maybe there will be more blue skies ahead.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Full of Light

Glasgow born artist Laura Harrison has been one of the shining lights of our Summer exhibition.  One of her paintings graced the cover of our Summer catalogue (see our first 'Welcome' post) and was snapped up immediately.  In the following three weeks we have continued to sell her still lifes and landscapes. They are optimistic, full of light and life, and they are capturing peoples' imaginations. 

 

A student in the 1960s at Glasgow School of Art, Laura Harrison studied under David Donaldson, one of Scotland's best and arguably most underrated artists of the 20th century.  With a strong basis in drawing and painting, her rich and expressive paintings take everyday subject matter, and through them she uses the paint to express herself as a true artist feels compelled to.

As she is in demand, we have had to ask her for more!  These three beauties are some of her newest work.  And the paint's still wet!  Well, almost.

And yes, for those who know me, Laura Harrison is my mum.  Growing up around her paintings, the sights and smells emerging from the studio got into my blood and inspired me to always want to be around great art, artists and most importantly, people being bold enough to express themselves for all the world to see.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

The Longest Day

The rain fell all day today and yes, it's still falling . . . .  I've been having to remind myself that it's summer.  And it is. A beautifully typical Scottish summer!  

Scotland is where we are, and this is where we find ourselves surrounded by a wealth of talent burgeoning out of art schools, artist studios and art galleries.

In the quieter moments I wander about the gallery and spend time really looking.  I never tire of discovering more and more about the work that surrounds me.  I have placed it, hung it and spoken about it, and yet if I keep looking, more begins to emerge from the canvases that I thought I had already fully appreciated.


This is one of the things that I love most about what I do.  Each painting contains a world all of it's own.  Sometimes you immediately take it all in, and sometimes it takes more time.


So in the quieter moments on the rainy rainy days, I realise I am surrounded by worlds of light, dark and so much more in between.

What a way to spend the longest day.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Warmth?

The rain is pouring down today, ah joy.  I'm tempted to light my little wood-burning stove. . . . too much?  

Nevertheless I am pleased to say that people have been coming in out of the rain and our 'Summer' exhibition is still in full swing!

Paintings by Marion Thomson have just been gazed at longingly.  Scottish scenes with blue skies and clouds ever-present, but with a subtlety of colour and warmth of tone.  The Scotland we know and love, on a good day!

A graduate of Glasgow School of Art, Marion Thomson's work explores combinations of light and weather, the fleeting changes that create the sense of a place.  The Scottish landscape, particularly the islands, is perfect for this.  Because as we all know, the weather here seems to be ever-changing.

And by the time you read this, the rain will probably be a memory and the sun will be shining. Maybe.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Beautiful Jewellery

At Smithy Gallery we love to showcase talented young artists.  Jewellery hadn't featured at the gallery until I came across the exquisite work of Sarah Anderson.  And now it's quite a feature!

This young artist lives in Fife and studied Jewellery and Silversmithing at Glasgow School of Art.  Her work is inspired by the colours and textures of the Scottish Highlands.

She is well known for her work with freshwater pearls, but her beautiful silversmithing is what I particularly love, and tend to drape myself in.   

Her necklaces, bracelets and earrings, are all individually made. With each necklace created from around 350 individual jump rings, each one hand woven in place using traditional chain mail techniques. 

Quality is priority in her work, and it shows.  All silver work features a sterling silver hallmark by the Edinburgh Assay Office.   

Sarah's jewellery, it's quality and beauty, is now such a welcome feature at the gallery.  But it doesn't stay long!  Come to the gallery and try a piece before they are all whisked away! 

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

New Ceramics

We have just started exhibiting ceramics by Devonshire artist Pauline Zelinski.  I have admired her work for many years and was delighted by the beautiful collection she has put together for our Summer exhibition.

Here's the technical stuff: 'Each piece is individually made from white earthenware clay.  Underglaze colours are mixed and hand painted onto each piece before biscuit firing.  Careful mixing and patient building up of the colours produces vibrant tones and hues, and the final glazing and firing reveals the full intensity of the painting.  The individual treatment means that each pot is unique and will never be duplicated.'  

We have bowls, cups, jugs and platters but they're selling fast, so drop into the gallery and snap one up!

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Summer Exhibition Opening

The Summer exhibition opened on Sunday under cloudy skies, but the paintings on the walls plus the champagne and cupcakes managed to bring smiles to peoples' faces.

Paintings were snapped up and our new range of ceramics by Pauline Zelinski flew out the door.  Pauline's work will be featured in Friday's blog.

Thank you to all who attended.  And to all of you who would like to view this vibrant exhibition, you are welcome to visit the gallery anytime.  There are over eighty paintings on show from newcomers to the best of our established Scottish artists.  Details of the exhibiting artists and opening times can be found at http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Hanging Week

It has been a busy week getting the gallery ready for the Summer exhibition which

opens this Sunday.

The invited artists brought their paintings and my heart sang as the work arrived, exceeding expectation.

Paintings from twenty five artists including the esteemed David Martin RSW RGI, Margaretann Bennett RSW, Marj Bond RSW, Joe Hargan PAI, Laura Harrison, Henry Fraser, Tracy Butler and many many more.

Hanging an exhibition like this is what I enjoy most.  Having each piece stand out

and yet compliment it's surroundings is a challenge but incredibly satisfying.  It

hopefully creates a beautiful space dancing with colour, texture, light and dark.

As you can see I'm still at the messy stage, but it will all come together in time for champagne, cupcakes and hopefully a lot of happy clients on Sunday . . . . .

Thanks for reading!

Natalie