Birthday Wishes

Not once have I missed writing a blog post! 

Every Tuesday and Friday I love the chance to write.  However serious or frivolous, it's a pleasure to write, and a privilege that people take the time to read it.

But yesterday I missed one . . . for the very first time.  Well, it was my birthday, and I am of the opinion that birthdays are special, whatever digits you have clocked up!

So here I am, a day late, after running away on a birthday adventure.  I believe we are all children at heart.  That is, unselfconscious and in awe of the beauty of the world we find ourselves surrounded by.  So I was taken away on a beautiful adventure, exploring some of the gems of Scotland that when we lift our heads, we see glow and sparkle in all directions.

Now I am happily back in the gallery surrounded by all the new work for Six Degrees of Separation opening this Sunday.

I feel invigorated.  Very happy to have had my senses caressed by the wonderful flora and fauna of the Scottish landscape, but now very happily inspired by the spectrum of creativity that our wonderful Scottish artists enhance our world with.

Six very special and diverse artists will be exhibiting together in Six Degrees of Separation which opens at the gallery this Sunday at 2pm.  For details please check http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/index.html

I can't wait!


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Awe-Struck

What can I say about Alasdair Gray? 

As his exhibition with Joyce Gunn Cairns approaches, and I read more of his writings, and learn more and more about him, I become even more in awe of him than I already was.

Alasdair Gray and Joyce Gunn Cairns (Photograph by Julie Howden)

His view on the world is completely unique to himself and he isn't afraid to express it boldly, provocatively and beautifully.  He has done so continually throughout his life.  His works are unfettered.  He is an absolute rarity.

He also has legions of fans.  I find this reassuring because unbridled talent, boldness and originality should be celebrated.  And he is. I'm feeling butterflies when I think about him exhibiting at Smithy Gallery.

But I also know him to be a very down-to-earth and kind man.  The people of Scotland, and beyond, have taken him to their hearts and he could never be anything but warm and approachable.

Okay this hasn't helped, I'm still in awe.

Perhaps I should think of him as 'awe-inspiring' . . . . or better yet, why don't I drop the 'awe' and maybe just say 'inspiring'.  I think Alasdair would much prefer that.  What more could a true artist want.

The exhibition previews 15 April.


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Beauty

The sun is out in all its glory and everything seems to cease for a moment as we wonder at the blue of the sky and the comforting warmth we feel just by being outdoors.

This is a rare phenomenon in Scotland and must be enjoyed at all costs before the clouds descend once more, hiding that rarely seen glowing ball.

I've been musing in the gallery's little cottage garden today about beauty in art and beauty in nature, whether the two can be compared. 

Nature's beauty is exquisite and seemingly infinite in it's variety.  Art is as varied as the people who choose to create it but certainly isn't always exquisite.  Beautiful art can be bold, simple even, but when it's successful the balance is exquisite.  Perhaps the experience of beauty in any of its forms is an exquisite experience.

Artists through the ages have been inspired by nature, trying to capture it's beauty and life.  Even though the flowers are usually cut, they seem to spring to life through the artist's eyes.  I love this little painting in our current Laura Harrison exhibition.  It makes me happy just to look at it.

What a beauty.  I must pop my head outside again though, just to compare. . . . .

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Beautiful Scotland

The choice of Christmas card by Scotland's First Minister has recently been unveiled.  Oh the pressure.  He must have had a whole team working on this!  I know I have terrible trouble choosing between a happy Rudolph full of festive fun, or a contemplative snow scene filled with an optimistic warm glow.

It is an intriguing choice because this piece of work is by Alasdair Gray, and it is multi-layered.  This is hardly surprising coming from the brush of one of Scotland's most celebrated artists, writers and thinkers.

The painting is entitled Bella Caledonia, but the character of Bella first appeared in one of Alasdair Gray's novels, Poor Things.  As he explains, “The original is lost long ago, but I have painted different versions of Bella. I changed the hat to a Glengarry and put a tartan plaid over her shoulder. The character is a strong woman with an enquiring mind and a sense of social justice, the qualities we would like Scotland to have also.”

This explains the First Minister's choice, but there is much more to Bella's character than that.

Poor Things has been described as a postmodern revision of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, with Bella Baxter as the central character, that of the monster. Having met her demise, she then becomes the centre of a love triangle, brought back to life with the brain of an infant . . . .  I love Alasdair Gray - I so want to read this book now! 

It has to be noted that the beautiful Bella is deliberately illustrated in a pose similar to that other genius's painting, the Mona Lisa.  Just a Christmas card?

I think it's fabulous that like all great art, there is so much more to this work than immediately meets the eye.

Many deserving charities will benefit from the cards and the auction of the painting, and I think that the more appreciation of Alasdair Gray there is, the better.  We Scots are not ones to toot our own horns, we do tend to keep quiet about great talent.  He is an untrumpeted Scottish National Treasure! 

Thanks for reading!

Natalie