Coming Next . . . .

We are delighted to be welcoming Liz Knox PPAI PAI to the gallery at the end of October.

 

 

 

Bright Anemones 28 x 24 ins

 

 

I have admired this artist's unmistakable work through the years, never failing to notice it in various prestigious exhibitions.

Recurring Fancies 38 x 32 ins

Liz has been very busy working on new paintings to create a solo exhibition which I can't wait to see in the gallery. I can already tell that the collection is going to look stunning.

 

Summer Nights 28 x 22 ins



 

 

As you can see here her works are vibrant, bold and intricate, an intriguing combination.  The viewer is grabbed by the glorious colour and composition, but on closer inspection, there are layers of meaning held in the objects depicted in the painting.

 

 

 

Souvenirs and Sunflowers 32 x 32 ins

Liz Knox works predominantly in still life, but she has a completely unique and original take on it.  These are very much personal expressions, but with a rare generosity.  They are sharing secrets with the viewer.





A Fallen Petal 24 x 36 ins

Look out for much more on this exciting artist.  The exhibition dates are 29 October to 17 November, previewing on 27 October.


Thanks for reading!

Natalie



Glasgow Society of Women Artists

It is such an honour to be asked to judge an exhibition.  The Glasgow Society of Women Artists have recently asked me to award two prizes in their upcoming exhibition at The Lillie Art Gallery in Milngavie.




 

http://www.edlc.co.uk/arts/lillie_art_gallery.aspx 

 

Originally established in 1882 by eight of the first women students at the Glasgow School of Art, the society now consists of around 150 artists who exhibit regularly in landmark Glasgow venues.

These exhibitions showcase the high standard of GSWA members' work in painting, sculpture, ceramics, textile art and jewellery.  Outstanding work is recognised by nine Awards that are adjudicated by external professionals and usually made every second year when the main exhibition is held at the Lillie Art Gallery.

 

www.gswa.org.uk

So tomorrow is judging day, and when I think of how much time I spent trying to paint as a teenager and into my twenties, it really is a genuine privilege to be asked to judge artists who's painting talent goes way beyond anything that I was trying to do.


Thank you to the GSWA for asking me.


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Diversity

There are an unbelievable amount of beautiful paintings in our Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI exhibition.  We have had a record numbers of visitors from all over Scotland and also from Europe, coming especially to see the exhibition!   

 

 

 

Purple Cloth  oil on canvas  31x31ins

 

 

 

 

And this is why . . . .

Loudon Hill   acrylic on paper  13x16ins

 

 

 

 

Anyone who knows Sandy's work knows why he is one of Scotland's leading painters, but this exhibition has a particular diversity of works as we explore the process behind the finished paintings.

 

 

 

 

Hillside Ayrshire  oil on canvas  40x42ins

 

 

 

 

Shown here are just some of my favourite paintings, and studies that are presently unsold.

 

 

 

 

 

Study for Autumn Pines  charcoal on paper  17x22ins 

 

 

 

 

And from these examples, you can hopefully see the variety that is making this exhibition such a full experience for fans of Sandy Murphy's, for artists, and for art-lovers in general.

 

 

 

 

Lilac Sky  gouache on paper  15x15ins



 

 

There are around sixty small studies that have been flying off the walls.  These may be small, but they are meticulous in there detail, texture and colour just like the larger, finished pieces.



 

 

Study for Silver Flowe  mixed media  6x8ins

 

 

 

We have designed this exhibition to last five weeks as we know there are a lot of people still wanting to come and see it. Also many people like to re-visit as there is a lot to take in.

 

 

 

Autumn Trees  acrylic on paper  26x27ins

 

 

 

 

The exhibition continues until 13 October.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie

 

The Artist's Artist

We are into the second week of our five week Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI exhibition and as I had hoped for, the appreciation of this artist's work has been phenomenal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is noticeable about this exhibition is the number of artists who have visited and bought paintings.  It is common for artists to swap paintings with each other, but quite a few have seen the painting that they have loved and gone for it without hesitation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy has often been described as 'the artist's artist', and this is why.  His work is incredibly admired by his contemporaries, the sign of an incredible talent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most painters look at Sandy's work in awe because of his complex but instinctive understanding and appreciation of colour and tone.  He has an uninhibited ability to create a painting out of completely unique tones and colours. Mixing, scraping back and remixing.  The completed painting is a layering of beautiful finishes from which the subject emerges.

 

Add to this texture, draughtsmanship, and passion and you have an outstandingly talented painter.

 

 

 

And of course it isn't just artists who love his work, and the sales testify to that.  Over thirty paintings have sold already and I am now glad at the amount of works we have managed to hang for this exhibition. There are plenty more for people to enjoy over the next three weeks.

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie

 

From The Sketchbook



The concept behind the current Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI exhibition is to turn the spotlight onto the process that occurs from the original idea conceived in the artist's sketchbook, onto its evolution into small mixed media and oil studies, and then eventually onto the finished painting.



 

Hillside Ayrshire  oil on canvas 40x42ins



 

 

 

Hillside Ayrshire is a beautiful example of the depth of tone and texture that is expressed in one of Sandy Murphy's paintings.  The finished piece is full of mood and feeling and perhaps what this artist is best known for: an extraordinary palette.  Each colour is a creation all of its own and the tones sing together in a symphony of subtlety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many studies involved in a painting like this, and it is a great pleasure to be able to see and appreciate them.  These have been beautifully presented as part of this exhibition.  Each piece stands alone, such is the quality of work, and as you can see they are all so different.


Already this has been a joyful and rich exhibition.  Thankfully it continues until 13 October.


Thanks for reading!


Natalie

Process: The Preview

After all the preparation that goes into an exhibition, particularly a solo exhibition of this quality, it is a genuine pleasure when its preview goes as well as it did on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI has put together a remarkable collection of sketchbooks, studies and paintings for this special exhibition - 'Process'. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were absolutely delighted to be asked to house this exhibition.  We worked alongside the artist on the catalogue and on the hanging of the exhibition, and it seems to complement the gallery space perfectly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So when all was finally ready and the gallery serene, we waited for people to come to share in the huge effort behind all of the months of work and the staging of the show.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy Murphy has a huge fan-base, and lovers of his work came from all over Scotland to catch the preview of this special exhibition. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It isn't often you get to see the sketchbooks and studies behind beautifully finished paintings and in Sandy's case, these can be as lovely as the finished pieces, so many of them have been snapped up already.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a large exhibition and there is a lot to take in, but we are delighted that over twenty paintings sold in a couple of hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A really big thank you to Sandy and his family and to all the people who made Sunday such a special day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This exhibition can be viewed at the gallery from Tues-Sat 11-5pm and Sun 1-5pm.  For more information, please check the website:  http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/currentExhibitions.htm

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie

Process: An Exhibition of Ideas, Sketches and Paintings

 

The Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI exhibition has come together really beautifully and it's now all about the finishing touches in preparation for the preview on Sunday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the help of the artist we have hung over eighty paintings and related studies, and the exhibition promises to be a delight for fans of Sandy Murphy's work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It should also be of great interest to any fan of painting.  In sketchbooks and studies relating to the final paintings, the process behind the beautiful final pieces that Sandy is renowned for is shared.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This really is a rare glimpse into the development of a painting from the artist's initial inspiration.  This whole idea was conceived by Sandy Murphy and we are absolutely delighted to be housing this exhibition.

 

 

 

 

 

It has been hugely anticipated and I am very glad it's almost time to preview it.  I have be enjoying it very much already and I really can't wait to share it with everybody.

 

Process: An Exhibition of Ideas, Sketches and Paintings previews this Sunday 8th September 2-5pm.

 

 

For more information:  http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/currentExhibitions.htm

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie