What's The Point of Art?

Now there's a question.  

I'm going with Francis Bacon on this one.  He once said 'It is the artist's job to deepen the mystery'. 

I wholeheartedly agree that a true artist doesn't just represent what we can already see clearly around us, but encourages us to look at everyday things in a different way, allowing us to explore our mysterious world.

Sian MacQueen RSW - Journey To Jura

Take the Scottish landscape.  We are already lucky enough that it seems to shift and change before our eyes due to the ever-changing weather, but it also provides massive inspiration to many Scottish artists, allowing them to interpret the world around us in their own way.

Out current three-person exhibition has three artists working in this way, as expressive individuals. 

Sian MacQueen takes the Scottish islands, the places she loves, and pairs them with meaningful mementos.  These are personal to her, but the viewer takes delight or confusion from the symbols and makes their own interpretation about them and their relevance to the landscape.

David Martin RSW RGI - Field and Dark Hill, Perthshire

David Martin is a wonderful expressive painter who breaks the landscape down into rhythm and colour.  We recognise it, but not quite.  His paintings highlight the pulse of nature apparent to the eye but evoke the layers and layers of life hidden beneath the surface.

David Smith RSW - The Rhum Cuillin

David Smith puts himself directly into the Scottish landscape with his love of hill-walking. His is a love of the scale and majesty of our landscape. His paintings denote the power and the passage of time in our world, reminding us to be in the moment, for now is to be cherished.  Okay, that's my interpretation!  All good works should inspire multiple interpretations.

More from these artists can be viewed on:

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

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Champions

I surprised myself by being completely swept up in everything to do with the Olympic Games.  I have never really been a sports-lover, but the games opened up my eyes to what their forte can mean to the individuals competing, to the spectators, and to the people who have perhaps followed an individual career trajectory.  They witness the highs, the lows, and most of all the extraordinary passion and determination.

All of us who chose to get into the Olympic spirit saw this too.  We also saw how inspired people from all walks of life were and how the achievements of the athletes or lack there of (in their eyes) are echoed in so many other areas of life.

I believe that knowing your passion and being able to strive to achieve great things within that passion is an immense gift.  I think to be challenged and driven is one of the keys to happiness.  Whether this is to huge or tiny ends it doesn't really matter, but caring about it does.

I realise that the artists that I work with and admire all have this quality.  Some say it can be a double-edged sword.  Such personal drive can lead to heartache in the low times, but I believe that the passion for their work and hopefully enough highs, make up for this.

Thank you to the three wonderful artists who we are currently exhibiting.  They are all at different stages in their careers, but they all have this champion quality.  I admire them very much.

Sian MacQueen RSW . . . .

David Smith RSW . . . .

David Martin RSW RGI . . . .

To view more of this exhibition, please click on the link.

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


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Coming Up!

We all need a holiday, even a break from something we love doing.  I have had my week far, far away . . . .

. . . . and now I'm back, happy to be immersed in all things gallery, particularly since the invitations have already been received for our brand new exhibition opening this Sunday.

All the paintings have arrived for this lovely mix of works by award-winning artists. When I finally see all the paintings together in the same room, even before they are hung, I get a strong feel for the exhibition.  It's different every time.  This one already feels cool, creative and calm.


We have one of Scotland's most reputable painters known the U.K. over, David Martin RSW RGI . . . .

Ace of Clubs

Sian MacQueen RSW, is becoming increasingly well known for her exquisitely textured ethereal scenes of Scotland . . . . 

Journey To Jura

And David Smith RSW, a vibrant Scottish painter gaining attention from the art world from here to London. . . . .

Fisherman's House, Coll

I am excited to say I have come back to a lot of enquiries already about the upcoming exhibition.  Always a good sign of things to come.

The exhibition previews this Sunday, 2pm to 5pm. The artists will be present and drinks and canapes will be served.  All are welcome!

To preview just now, click the link.

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


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

The Three Person Exhibition

Paintings for the next exhibition have arrived at the gallery!  It's going to be all change soon, which means saying goodbye to an exhibition I love, but it is also an exciting time.

After the current Carlo Rossi RSW RGI Memorial exhibition, we are exhibiting works by three fabulous artists - David Smith RSW, Sian MacQueen RSW and David Martin RSW RGI.

       

David Smith RSW

A three-person exhibition hopefully contrasts, compares and distinguishes each artist. But it will only be successful if each artist has a strong individual style and also the work succeeds in complementing the other artists. I have always found it difficult to define why work from different artists can complement.  But I know it when I see it!

    

Sian MacQueen RSW

I have admired these three artists for a long time.  Their individual styles are strong, yet there is a softness of tone and almost a whimsical take on their subject matter.  All are recipients of various awards in recognition of their outstanding works and I am already getting excited about hanging their paintings together.  

     

David Martin RSW RGI

I never really know how an exhibition is going to look and feel until it is all hung, but I have that feeling deep down that it is going to work well, full of contrasts, complements and distinction.  Just what we want from a three-person exhibition.


This exhibition opens on 12th August.




Thanks for reading!




Natalie

Coming Next!

The Carlo Rossi Memorial Exhibition is attracting a record number of visitors to the gallery and I'm happy to say that it is continuing until the end of July. In August we have something completely different and I am hoping this exhibition will attract just as many.  

I have invited three of my favourite artists to exhibit together for the first time. These three artists are all at different stages in their careers and their works are completely distinctive, just the way I like it!  What they do have in common are accolades galore i.e. there will be a lot of letters after names!


First of all, we are delighted to be exhibiting the wonderful David Martin RSW RGI.

David Martin RSW RGI - Four Green Beans

David is one of the most well-respected Scottish artists working today.  He is a little older than most being in his late eighties, and yet he is one of the most in demand.  He is always working toward a solo exhibition in London, and we are very lucky to be able to exhibit this many of his stunning works together.  I'm a huge fan.

David Martin RSW RGI - Kirkcudbrightshire Landscape

Showing alongside David is Sian MacQueen RSW.  Sian is a younger artist currently making a name for herself and winning well-deserved awards.  

Sian MacQueen RSW - Lily's Table

Unmistakably hers, the paintings are exquisitely soft, surreal and serene and yet full of texture.  They are beautiful and dream-like and I must have one!  

Sian MacQueen RSW - Journey to Jura

Our third artist is David Smith RSW.  David is something really special.  He is utterly dedicated to his painting and this dedication and talent has recently taken off. Not only has he been awarded membership of  RSW (Royal Scottish Society of Watercolourists) but solo exhibitions are now abounding.

David Smith RSW - Summer Evening, Berneray

David has a beautiful, subtle painting style that lifts his subject matter, breathes life into it and imbues it with a kind of joy.  This reflects the artist himself and I'm so glad he is becoming so well known, and equally pleased that we get to exhibit his wonderful works alongside these two other special artists.

David Smith RSW - Fisherman's House, Coll

 The exhibition doesn't open until 12 August.  This is just a note for the diary!


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

A Good Year

What a start to the year it's been!  I'm so pleased to say that this, our fourth annual Affordable Art Show, is doing better than ever.  Since it opened last Sunday, twenty-two paintings have sold, and twenty-one pieces of sculpture and ceramic!





I like to use numbers because it shows in black and white that it's still possible to thrive in the art world.  The importance of art in our lives is still being recognised, and the talent that we have in Scotland is not only being appreciated, but it's being snapped up.

So what can follow such a successful show . . . .  The diary of exhibitions for the year is I think, one of the most exciting we've had.  With Smithy Gallery favourites, together with well known collectible Scottish artists who haven't exhibited with us before, the diary for the year is looking more than good.  Here's a sneak preview:

In March, we have a long-awaited solo exhibition by Scottish colourist Laura Harrison . . . .



In April, we are showing works by the famed Alasdair Gray in a two-person exhibition with Joyce Gunn Cairns MBE, who I think is his east coast match . . . .



In May/June we have a group exhibition of works by acclaimed artists Kirsty Wither, Christopher Wood RSW, Hazel Nagl, Kevin Low and David Schofield.  This will be a stunning showcase of artistic talent from bold expression, to intricate narrative detail.  A must-see!

And then we have the honour of holding a memorial exhibition for the much-loved Carlo Rossi RSW RGI, who died in 2010 at the age of eighty nine.  A wonderful painter and a wonderful man.

In August a three person exhibition with David Martin RSW RGI, Sian MacQueen RSW and Charles Simpson.

In September, I'm delighted to be exhibiting new paintings by Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI again.  This time he will be showing in a four person show with his chosen contemporaries.

I've whizzed through most of the year, and so many possible paintings have whizzed through my  mind, so I should stop here before I exhaust myself with anticipation!

And I don't wish to give it all away just yet anyway, so you will just have to stay tuned! 

But I think it will be a good year.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

The Opening

You never really know how well an exhibition opening is going to go.  One Private View is always a little different from the last.  This makes it exciting and a little nerve-wracking!

My thinking is this: as long as the work is exceptional - check!  The hanging is done as well as possible - check!  And you lavish your guests with champagne, canapes, music - check, check, check!  The rest is up to the atmosphere created by each and every person that comes.

And the atmosphere on Sunday was fabulous.  The moment we opened at 2pm, people arrived en masse and everyone seemed to be smiling and on and on it went.  Twenty-six pieces sold, canapes vanished, champagne ran dry (always a sign of an opening above and beyond my imagination. Don't worry, it won't happen again!).

It was a fabulous party and I enjoyed every minute of it.  Thank you to all the art-lovers who came and enjoyed the show, and of course to the artists for the beautiful and eclectic work that made for a very successful start to a very Affordable Art Show.

Here is a little celebration of some of the beautiful paintings that sold:

Emma Waine's beautiful abstract piece, Indian Details.  She's our youngest artist, fearless, and very much a rising star. . . .

The inimitable Gordon Wilson - already a star!  This is Bea and Bee . . . .

The newly appointed RSW, Sian MacQueen.  This is Midnight Rhino, I'm a huge fan of her work and we will be having a three-person show with her later this year . . . .

Our eldest artist, the highly esteemed David Martin RSW RGI.  This is Mandolin and Pears and I am always delighted that he gives me small works for our annual Affordable Art Show.  He's a very busy man . . . .



Just a small taster of the many beautiful pieces that sold.  Of course we have many more paintings from these and many more artists.  The exhibition continues until 26th February.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie