Happy Days

The sun is shining and Andy Murray won Wimbledon.  Happy Days!

 

The flowers are in bloom, and it's any excuse to enjoy the sunshine.  Scotland in the sunshine is extra-beautiful and we've had many people out and about and coming in to visit our Summer Exhibition

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sun spills in, inviting people to stay a while and enjoy some of their favourite artists.  The choice this year is fabulous and I'm pleased to say that the work is leaping off the walls!

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For a look at who is showing, click the link!

 

http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/currentExhibitions.htm

 

 

 

 

 

The exhibition continues until this Sunday.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie

Margaretann Bennett RSW

I have been a fan of Margaretann Bennett's work for many years now.  Her work is incredibly recognisable, a quality I love in a good artist. 

Wraith

The work speaks for itself, but I am also a fan of Margaterann herself.  For me, knowing and liking the artist adds even more to the work.

She studied at Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 1991 and then worked as a freelance designer. A desire to experience other areas of artistic practice led her to explore etching and lithography. She has also studied paper-making, and the use of paper in an innovative manner is fundamental to her work.

Mystery

While her work has extensively explored landscape and still life, her more current work is figurative, as you can see. 

Whether real or imaginary, her characters have to have a strong sense of the individual, and people seem to have one of two reactions: unnerved or utterly compelled.  All I know is, they never stay in the gallery long.

What I like most about Margaterann is that she is utterly true to herself.  She isn't inspired by what sells.  For her, it's about the creation of the work and her development as an artist.  This is a rare quality indeed, and I admire it greatly.  She will take time and space to live and development and to see in what direction her work grows.  Having her work in the gallery, and the reaction that follows, is always an exciting experience.



Melody





Her strong work has deservedly gained in reputation over the years, and the awards have been plentiful including the Mabel MacKinlay Awards (RGI, 2011); The Scottish Arts Club Award (RSW, 2010); The Inverarity One to One Travel Award (RGI 2007); The Armour Award (RGI 2006); The William Bowie Award (PAI 2006); and she is also an elected member of the Royal Society of Watercolourists.

We are showing these paintings in our Summer Exhibition until 12th July.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie