Call of the Mountains

"Thousands of tired, nerve - shaken, over- civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity.."
John Muir.

'Suilven', mixed media on panel by Beth Robertson Fiddes.

'Towards Stac Polliadh', mixed media on panel by Beth Robertson Fiddes.

Beth Robertson Fiddes Solo Exibition

This October, award-winning Beth Robertson Fiddes is showing us how to move mountains at UG.

Coupled Up

Hello everyone,

This weekend and next Monday offer you a last chance to see our lovely Autumn Exhibition before it makes way for the stunning Beth Robertson Fiddes Solo Exhibition.

One of the things that you'll find if you get here over the weekend, is a number of 'couple-related' paintings - quite an unusual turn of events for UG.
For Example:

'Burton' and 'Taylor', acrylic and collage on panel, by Colin Brown.

And:

 
 

'Mr.' and 'Mrs.', oil on panel, by Dylan Lisle.

Maybe there's something in the air, or maybe it's just great, imaginative work by some great artists, but whichever, we are delighted to see such exceptional work in the gallery.  After all, who can resist the wonderfully sensitive and delicate charms of Joyce Gunn Cairns MBE's works, such as:

 
 

 













'Mutual Regard', oil and pencil on card.

Don't miss the chance to see all this talent yourselves - Monday is the deadline.

Think About It!

Thanks to gallery visitor Douglas Fraser for posting this in.

How very true!

Speak soon.....

Windswept and Interesting

Hello everyone

I trust that you were all good to your mummies on Sunday!
I was.  Indeed my ma's special present looked the business wrapped up in Jenny Matthews wrapping paper:

So we are into the final week of 'Making Waves' and, being partial to a bit of sea painting myself, this exhibition really 'floats my boat' as they say.  I wanted to highlight a few of the treasures on display.  Lets start with this:

'White Water', acrylic on board, by Hazel Cashmore.
I would have liked to have spent more time admiring all that is great about 'White Water', but the pround new owner couldn't wait to get it home.  When I looked at this beauty, I could almost hear the crash of the waves and the fizz of the foam on rocks.  I loved how the sea was spilling out of the paining.  Enegmatic and energetic, as are all of Hazel Cashmore's paintings.

'Sandwood, Summer', mixed media, by Beth Robertson Fiddes.
This is an impressive and brilliantly executed painting by Beth Robertson Fiddes.  Legendary Sandwood Bay, with all its mysticism and breathtaking scenery has been captured perfectly by Beth.  There's some very clever collage work going on here and if you view the painting from a certain angle, it's almost a 3D painting!  Come in, and I will position you.

'Five Boats', mixed media, by Nikki Monaghan.
The relaxing pleasure of observing boats gently bobbing in a harbour, brilliantly observed by Nikki Monaghan.

'Cellardykes', oil on cotton board, by Ian Rwnsley.
 Fife boasts some beautiful coastline, and Cellardykes is a well known attraction.  The village is known locally as 'Sillerdyke' - a reference to the sun glistening on fishscales on the nets as they dry on the harbour walls.
And:

'Stonehaven', oil on cotton board, by Ian Rawnsley.   
A favourite of mine, there is such softness and subtlety in this painting.
Lets end with a: 

'Splash', gouache, by Dorothy Bruce.  
Great title, great painting. Dorothy lives on the Isle of Cumbrae, and in this painting there are actual grains of sane from the beaches there.  You may not be able to see that in the image above, so I highly recommend that you pop in abd appreciate it at first hand.

Speak soon. 
 

Happy Days

Hello everyone

I am busy hanging the next exhibition, "Making Waves". It's looking rather splendid and I feel energised and refreshed by the work on the walls. It makes me want to get out and about and head for the coast, to see some of our beautiful landscape. Which, is looking better all the time:

Come and join us tomorrow night:

I will show you some snaps from the preview. Until then, I leave you with this:

A big thank you to Daisy-May for this cheerful little painting! Daisy-May is the granddaughter of Hazel Cashmore whose exquisite sea paintings are 'floating my boat' as it were.

Speak soon x

Autumn Watch II

Howdy partners!

So Autumn has well and truly taken hold and with today being a particularly windy day here in Edinburgh, I have enjoyed watching all the golden leaves dancing along the pavements and footpaths.

If you need an inspirational fix this week, I highly recommend you come in and see "Landmarks II"....it's the last week and I believe this to be one of our most beautiful exhibitions to date.

Here is a little tempter:

"Seilebost Rain" by Beth Robertson Fiddes.
This is a really special piece, again there's some collage work that you can't pick out from this jpeg. You have to see the real thing to appreciate it fully.

More comings and goings at Union Gallery of late:

A working lunch. All round creative giant Stewart Bremner (paintings, photography, websites and videos!) pops in to coach me on how to make a beetroot curry.....I have specific instructions. Surely even I cannot mess this up?!
Leaving you with this:

Yes, it's scary season again so if you visit the gallery over the weekend we shall be offering some pretty terrifying treats. That's right partners...my very own home baking!!!

Speak soon

Autumn Watch

Hello everyone

As always a warm welcome to our latest blog follower - hope you are well.

Continuing on the Autumn theme folks, I think I mentioned previously that this is my favourite time of the year to be out in the landscape. Autumn is a landscape painters paradise: amazing cloud formations, glittering light and enriched, enhanced colours.
I'm itching to be out in the wilderness currently, however meantime I am content with my usual stomping ground - Inverleith Park. In between throwing balls and scooping dog poo, I was amazed by this:

Ok, it's been amateurishly and hurriedly snapped, but I hope you "get the picture" (apologies for another feeble joke). I can categorically assert that the sky has not been enhanced or tickled with in any way....that's beyond my capabilities. Seeing this sky immediately made me think of:

"Morning of the Autumn Equinox". An exceptional and eerie painting by award winning artist Philip Braham.
We will see more of Philip's work next year....will keep you posted.

I have to confess to being annoyed with myself for not managing a couple of pieces of my own for "Landmarks II". I knew all the work coming in was going to be superb, but seeing it all hanging together, it really is quite beautiful. I would have loved to be a part of it. Take a look at this:

"Winter Solstice in the Strath" by Hazel Cashmore.

All the way from Thurso, Hazel Cashmore's latest paintings are truly gorgeous. I've been studying her "land meets sky" precision- and she really is the expert. I have also realised that, apart from the brilliant painterly qualities, she is also an expert with colour. These are colourful paintings, yet Hazel's discerning eye and control ensures they are never "shocking" or over the top. Her paintings are both dramatic and sexy, not to mention well observed.

Speaking of drama:

"Big Buachaille" by Beth Robertson Fiddes.

Wow....big skies, roaming mountains, it surely doesn't get better than this?

Of course I want you to come in and see all the paintings for real. This piece for example has exquisite collage work that you can't see here.

Next up. We will be taking a look at 3rd year ECA drawing and painting student, Martyn McKenzie. He's really, very good!!

Have a good weekend.....

Comings & Goings

Hello everyone

Pretty busy here in Galleria Del Fuego so I haven't had much time to compose anything intellegent about the current exhibition, Landmarks II. Suffice it to say its stunning and you should get in here for a look!

For now I'm just going to post a few images of the comings and goings in and around the gallery of late. Enjoy.

Congratulations to artist Laura Homoky who is expecting her second child. Glamerous as ever, she is now sporting a mini bump :)

Union Gallery hound, Tommy, oversees proceedings as we hang the Landmarks II show.

The other Union Gallery hound, Harry....being rather less helpfull.

Like a child on Christmas morning....I couldn't wait to unpack the top notch work of brillaint landscape painter Hazel Cashmore.

Jamie McGrigor MSP, like many others, is suitably impressed by the skills of artist Beth Robertson Fiddes.

A confident, conservative point Jamie.  (And you still owe me a fag!).

The time has come to ackowledge the efforts of gallery supporter Stewart Reid. Mr & Mrs Reid have attended every one of the gallery's openings and their enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed. I feel really honoured and chuffed that every month they come to visit us and see the new work. THANK YOU x

A recent gallery visitor told me he thought I looked like Tracey Emin. Naturally I protested, however looking at this photo I'm not so sure!!

Leaving you with this

Thank you to the kind soul who posted this through my letter box. I thought you might like to know that I have named my new chesnut friend Bert.

Bye for now