Category Archives: Uncategorized

New Exhibition – ‘Harbour’

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Harbour – launches on Friday 3rd June at the Freespace Gallery,

'Pittenweem 3'. Mixed media on 8x8" wood panel

‘Pittenweem 3’. Mixed media on 8×8″ wood panel

Edinburgh. (address below)

The exhibition features a series of works on wood (created this year) and takes inspiration from Scotland’s iconic east coast harbours such as Cove Bay, Seacliff, North Berwick, Elie, Crail and Pittenweem.

The exhibition will also help raise awareness and funds in aid of the Scottish Wildlife Trust with 10% of sales going towards the Living Seas project which aims to assist with the recovery of Scotland’s marine life and ensure future marine activity is carried out in a sustainable and environmental manner

Harbour runs from 4th to 30th June (launch/preview- Friday 3rd June 6 – 8pm) at the Freespace Gallery in Edinburgh (7 Easter Road, EH7 5PU) – a space for artists to show their work for free and a meeting place for cultural exchange and ideas related to Scotland and beyond.

Facebook Event page Here

Join us for a glass of wine on preview night – Friday 3rd June from 6 – 8pm

Harbour paintings

Peter Potter Gallery open day

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shapeimage_3The Peter Potter Gallery is holding an open day this weekend.

'Cockenzie Power Station, 26th September 2015'. Mixed media on 17x11" wood panel

‘Cockenzie Power Station, 26th September 2015’

I have a series of limited edition prints of ‘Cockenzie Power Station’ currently on sale there, and there are some beautiful works by well known Scottish artists such as Moyna Flanigan, David Faithful and a range of contemporary landscape paintings and prints, also ceramics.

I’ll be dropping in on Saturday to have a look, also as there will be free coffee, tea and cake!

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Dad

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dad4Our dear and much loved dad (Malcolm Strang) passed away on Monday 18th April after a year-long struggle with illness.

I will take a break from painting for a short while, but will return to it very soon, with much inspiration.

Dad loved nature, getting out into the countryside, cooking on an open fire, canoeing and exploring. He and mum have been taking us for outdoor adventures since we were babies.

I’ve posted some photos (below) of dad in his favourite places, which feature in many of my paintings.

He was much loved by many, many people and will be very much missed.

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Family picnic at the Tweed

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Dad and me at the Tweed (not shooting animals!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At North Berwick

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At North Berwick Harbour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mum and dad at North Berwick

Mum and dad at North Berwick

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In his younger days, at North Berwick

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Our last big walk, in June last year – we found a beautiful view of the silvery Tweed, behind Neidpath Castle. Dad’s just turned round to give me a smile.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s paintings

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P1010463 P1010453 P1010466I acquired a few smaller canvases this weekend so decided to experiment today.

The painting on wood is on top of a painting of Moffat from last year which I didn’t like so ended up using as a pallete (why waste all those interesting colours I thought) so I’ve just enhanced it.

I’m quite happy with the mood of the larger square work – a sort of ‘gloaming’ or half light. They could all do with a bit more definition though so I’ll work on them tomorrow.

I can see various ideas emerging from the painting in the middle so will have a think..

Bass Rock series day 2

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'Rockpool, Daisy Island (North Berwick)'. Mixed media on 8x8" wood panel

‘Rockpool, Daisy Island (North Berwick)’. Mixed media on 8×8″ wood panel

'Berwick Law from Daisy Island'. Acrylic on 8x8" wood panel

‘Berwick Law from Daisy Island’. Acrylic on 8×8″ wood panel

'Bass Rock and Waves. Acrylic on 8x8" wood panel

‘Bass Rock and Waves. Acrylic on 8×8″ wood panel

Three finished works of the Bass Rock for the Greens and Blues gallery in North Berwick.

I had to create the obligatory Bass Rock painting, not that it’s a chore since I love the shape of the Bass Rock, but when I’m at the beach it’s the rock pools I find fascinating.

Daisy island is a tidal island so you can walk across to it at low tide, though it’s also a bird sanctuary so sometimes it’s restricted. What I wanted to capture here is the way it feels like a safe haven, even the grass is incredibly springy and soft, you can throw yourself on it without injury should that wish arise. When I was a kid I practiced somersaults and cartwheels there, and to this day I partake in a forward and backward somersault when I visit. I also find it easy to meditate there.

The lichen on these gnarly basaltic vocanic rocks is acid yellow (I used cadmium yellow straight from the tube) and in autumn the rock pool reflections have an incredible clear gold clarity. Really enjoyed painting these today!

Crammond Seagull day 2

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CramseagToday’s painting – more work on the Crammond Seagull which still isn’t quite as I wanted it but it’s close!

It’s mostly composition that’s not quite ideal – in the angle of the wings. I may do another version..

Crammond Seagull

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Crammond SeagullIn progress – a seagull flying over Crammond mud flats. The seagull needs a lot more work.

My camera screen is broken, so I tried to swap bits of it with another broken camera which almost worked – it take photos at least! The screen is totally blank so I’ve no idea what I’m looking at and can’t set light etc! Hence the low quality. I’ll be getting a new camera next week hopefully..

Old Books

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'Old Books, Gosford House'. Mixed media on 20x16" canvas

‘Old Books, Gosford House’. Mixed media on 20×16″ canvas

I’ve been working today a bit more on this painting of old books in an abandoned room in Gosford House. There’s more detail on the books, I also want to capture more of the diffused light I remember but it’s nearly there..

Cockenzie Power Station Limited edition print series

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'Cockenzie Power Station, 26th September 2015'. Mixed media on 17x11" wood panel

‘Cockenzie Power Station, 26th September 2015’. Mixed media on 17×11″ wood panel

As mentioned a few weeks ago, limited edition prints of Cockenzie Power Station, 26th September 2015 will be available at the Peter Potter Gallery in Haddington.

They’re in a limited edition of 25 Giclee prints at 17×11 inches (signed, dated, numbered and titled by hand)

These are now on display in the gallery which is near Lungate Bridge, Haddington at number 10, the Sands. There’s a lovely cafe in the gallery with views of the bridge. The current exhibition by Alan Knox explores ‘the debatable land’ and the history of the Borders country.

Painting on Lindisfarne…

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DSCF1047Yesterday I was at Lindisfarne to meet Ros Duncan of the Peregrini Landscape Partnership to talk about a painting workshop for the public in August this year.

We’ve had a few chats on the phone so it was lovely to meet Ros in person. We were teeming with ideas for various projects as it’s such an inspiring island, but for the moment the focus is on the workshop!

12805677_10154547257702788_2875325447151154776_nWe wandered around Lindisfarne looking for suitable painting vantage points and Ros suggested a little hill in the south of the island called the Heugh as the perfect spot for people to draw and paint. It has spectacular views around the island and it was a beautiful day yesterday as you can see from photos these photos from the Heugh…

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The Heugh has  the added advantage of benches to sit on, also the lookout tower and walls for shelter in case of wild weather (though August should be quite mild).

From there you can see Lindisfarne Castle in the east, Bamburgh Castle in the distance across the sea, the nearby ruins of Lindisfarne Priory and, down below on the shore, St Cuthbert’s Island. You can’t fail to be inspired by it – I painted Stormy Sky (below) in October 2014 looking out to St Cuthberts Island. The light is incredible, ever changing with that crisp luminous clarity of east coast light.

'Stormy Sky, Lindisfarne'. Mixed media on 20x16" canvas

‘Stormy Sky, Lindisfarne’. Mixed media on 20×16″ canvas

By the end of April we’ll have more details about the workshop, so if you fancy a day there drawing and painting, feel free to email Ros Duncan (Community Engagement & Heritage Education Office, Peregrini Landscape Partnership) for more details in May – ros.duncan@northumberland.gov.uk

 

Thanks again to Ros Duncan for a most productive and enjoyable day, and to Donald Ferguson for photos, the drive there and excellent sandwiches!

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