Award-Winning!

It is a lovely honour to be asked to be a judge at an art exhibition, particularly when it's the quality of the annual Paisley Art Institute Exhibition.  I spent the morning perusing the large exhibition, now in it's 125th year.



What a pleasure it is for me to spend time viewing such a variety of quality works.  The icing on the cake is to be invited to choose my very favourite and watch as the little award banner is mounted below the painting.

The Smithy Gallery Award is in its second year and once again, I am delighted with my choice.  The exhibition opens on 10th May, and you will just have to go and view the exhibition to see if you agree with my choice!

I'm now back to the gallery to enjoy the second week of Fifty Shades of Glasgow.  We have fifty beautiful small paintings by Carol Dewart, 18 of which are already sold, but there are plenty left triggering memories and tantalising people as we speak.  Here are a couple of my favourites which are still available:

Love, love, love!  They're all so full of character.

The exhibition, including sculpture by Lesley Carruthers can be viewed on the website:

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

It continues until 12th May.  Don't miss it!

Thanks for reading!

Natalie

 



Sunday's Preview

Our new exhibition Fifty Shades of Glasgow previewed on Sunday and it went with a bang! 

Artist Carol Dewart created the fifty paintings over a period of a good few months and the result has been a fabulous variety of scenes and landmarks in and around Glasgow.

The consistency of sizing has led to a dramatic looking exhibition, each painting an individual gem.

This is the first time we have had an exhibition dedicated to the city, and it was a joy to see the reaction and to hear all the stories linked to where the paintings were depicting.

Exhibiting also is scultptor Lesley Carruthers with a wonderful collection of works in cast aluminium and bronze.

So many people came and enjoyed the opening and we have already sold eighteen of the paintings!

All of the works can be viewed on our website:  http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/currentExhibitions.htm

A big thank you to everyone who came and of course to the wonderful Carol Dewart for creating such a beautiful collection of paintings.

The exhibition continues until 12 May.


Thanks for reading!


Natalie



Fifty Shades of . . . . Glasgow!

We are so excited about this new exhibition.  We have been busy hanging all week for it's preview this Sunday.

The artist Carol Dewart came to me with this idea, and I loved it.  She has created fifty small paintings many of which are well known scenes in and around Glasgow, but also others that are details that she has honed in on.

The paintings are beautifully mounted and framed and have already been selling in sets.  All the works can be viewed now on the website:

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


This exhibition is accompanied by a show of works by Lesley Carruthers.  She is a sculptor I have always admired, well known for her large metal installations and garden sculptures.  We are delighted to be exhibiting fourteen pieces of varying sizes.

This exhibition previews on Sunday 21 April, 2-5pm and continues until 12 May.


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Box of Delights

To accompany Laura Harrison's bold and beautiful solo exhibition, we have a fabulous selection of ceramics, sculpture and jewellery.

The colourful ceramics by Pauline Zelinski have been incredibly popular since coming to the gallery.  These individually crafted, hand-painted pieces have flown out the door as presents or personal treats. 

 

Anne Morrison's thoughtful figurative work is at once commanding and contemplative and I always like to see her little figures finding some respite in the warmth of the gallery!



In contrast, we have dynamic sculpture by the wonderful artist Lesley Carruthers.  Sculpted in aluminium with brushed corrian bases, I'm delighted to say that these dramatic pieces have found there way into several art-lovers' homes and gardens.

Our favourite jeweller Sarah Anderson has again come up with a beautiful collection for Spring.  Our cabinet is full of delights, from intricately hand-woven sterling silver designs to delicate pearl pieces.  All hand-made and just a little bit different, her work always attracts a crowd around the jewellery cabinet, and most people end up going home with a piece.

New to the gallery is work by Michael Lythgoe.  Inspired mainly by wildfowl and waders, his stylised representations are sculpted beautifully from wood.  He manages to perfectly capture the individual character of each species, and this elegant collection has drawn much admiration.

Of course we can't forget the gallery's resident pooch who proudly guards the paintings at night!  This beautiful sculpture by Christine Cummings is one of only two left of her collection.

Thank you to all the talented artists who make the gallery sing with delights!

Thanks for reading!

Natalie



Different Dynamics

All the Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI paintings have been taken down today and carefully wrapped.  I felt a little sad, but being surrounded by Margaretann Bennett's new work gave me that little frisson of excitement I feel when a challenge awaits.  Plus, they are just plain fabulous!

I have to find the perfect home on the Smithy walls for the forty eight beautiful pieces that make up her new collection.  Hanging an exhibition is always a little daunting.  I want it to be as good as possible, with every piece in it's optimum place. 

I know how much work and preparation the artist has put in, and I really want to do their effort and talent justice.  Although mainly figurative, Margaretann's latest collection also includes some of her intricate still lifes and landscapes.

 

As I lay the pieces out and am mentally going through combinations and patterns, a welcome break occurs from my machinations as Lesley Carruthers arrives with sculpture to complement this exhibition.

Lesley is a widely acclaimed, talented sculptor working mainly in cast aluminium, and I am delighted to introduce her work to Smithy Gallery, particularly in conjunction with this exhibition.

These three pieces, set on the best quality oak plinths will be a fabulous punctuation to such a strong body of work from Margaretann.

Even with such a lot of work to do, I am already looking forward to the opening of the exhibition this Sunday, mainly because the gallery will be transformed into something completely different.  From the tranquility and tonal subtlety of the Sandy Murphy exhibition, it will have an altogether new and vibrant energy about it, and this is what I love about art, expression, creativity and being lucky enough to house it all under one roof.

Hope to see you there.

Thanks for reading!

Natalie