Winter Wonderlands

Hello everyone

With Christmas just round the corner and with folks (hopefully) winding down, I thought it would be nice to look at some popular festive and winter scenes.

We have to begin with this:

I adore 'The Hunters in the Snow' by Pieter Bruegel.
Probably less well know, but arguably just as beautiful is:

'Evening Snow on Fuji' by Utagawa Toyokuni.
There are so many lovey winter paintings from Japan.

 










'Winter landscape with skaters' by Hendrick Avercamp.
Being mute Avercamp lived in a silent world of his own. It is said that he enjoyed painting these winter scenes with skaters as it reminded him of happy times with his parents.
Extra turkey for anyone who can spot the bare bottom!

'Train in the Snow' by Claude Monet.
Monet strikes again:

'Grainstacks, Snow Effect'. Just one painting from the twenty five series in which Monet observed the changes in the haystacks from summer to the following spring.

'Avenue in the Snow' by Edvard Munch.
I much prefer this painting to his most famous creation, 'The Scream'.....controversial!!

It just wouldn't be right not to include 'The Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch' by Sir Henry Raeburn.
Kept here in Edinburgh in The National Gallery of Scotland, this is one of Scotland's most famous paintings and is considered ground breaking for combining traditional portraiture with movement of the figure.
Leaving you with a slightly more obscure masterpiece:

There's something not quite right about Boticelli's shell here!

Wishing you all a warm and happy Christmas and for a sparkling 2014 
x x

Puppy Love!!

Hello everyone,

with Christmas just round the corner I'm being kept very busy here at UG headquarters.
I haven't had much time to think of something intelligent to write on the blog, so in the meantime I shall keep you entertained with some random, but highly amusing photos of my hounds sent to me by my lovely niece with who they are currently lodging.
Enjoy!

Dennis (the menace) doing his cute look.

Harry (spotty pants) our insane Dalmation with yet another crazed expression!
Leaving you with this:

Dennis the menace in camouflage! I'm biased I know, but he is adorable!

Hurry back for more nonsense soon x

TAKE THREE (II)

Hello everyone,

Whilst doing the dishes the other morning I was thinking about some of the extraordinary art currently showing in the Christmas Exhibition. It occurred to me that, by chance, there's something of a threesome going on. For example:

'Trinity', non tarnish silver coated copper wire, collected dove feathers, abalone shell by Marcela Trsova.
A very beautiful installation which casts the most delicate shadows that dance on the walls.

'See no Fish, Here no Fish, Catch no Fish', acrylic on canvas by James Newton Adams.
I love their bright yellow, rubbery gloves.

'Three Sisters', digital painting by Kevin Low.
Otherworldly and enchanting, the attention to detail in the girl's clothes is very touching.

'Three Blind Mice' oil on panel by Dylan Lisle.
An impressive and powerful triptych that depicts his subjects with mind boggling detail.

'Waiting for The Tide', finest lead-free pewter on olivewood by Carl Newman.
There's nothing lovelier than a nice piece of wood, so tactile and I love how the wood grain mimics the tidelines in the sand.

So as you can see there's something for everyone in UG's 2013 Christmas Exhibition. If 3 is your lucky number then perhaps this selection might appeal to you.

Have a great weekend all!

Christmas Is Coming!

The Countdown to Christmas begins!

And we have a real cracker of an exhibition for you!

 

Hope you can all make it in to feast your eyes on this :)

Seasonal Opening Times

Hello everyone,

We are open as normal up to and including Sunday 23rd December.
We are then closed from Monday 24th December until Monday 7th January.
Our next exhibition, 'It's the Little Things', opens on Thursday 10th January - we hope to see you all then.

Normal opening times are:
10.30 - 6.00 Monday to Saturday
12.00 - 6.00 on Sunday

Wishing you a Merry Xmas and a great New Year!

 












'Droma', alkyd on paper, by Philip Braham

CHRISTMAS

There's no escaping it folks......

CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!

Messengers from Paradise

Hello everyone,

I admit that I wasn't fully aware that in Greek Mythology bees were considered to be messengers from Paradise: not until award-winning artist Jenny Matthews tipped me off.  It makes sense really, given the importance of their role here on earth - such a shame that we don't hold them in such high regard now.

It is with this sentiment in mind that I'd like to show you what I believe to be one of Jenny Matthews' finest paintings to date:

'Skep Needle Book', acrylic on canvas, by Jenny Matthews.
I think this beautiful painting more than holds its own without further comment from me, but the clincher for me is the honey-sweet story behind it.  'Skep Needle Book' was created for our exhibition 'Plight of the Bumblebee', at the same time as Jenny's parents were preparing to move house.  Whilst clearing the attic of their house, Jenny's parents came across her Grandmother's needle book with a picture of an old-fashioned skep on the front - perhaps a message in itself....

Here's what a bee skep looks like: 

The highly decorative jug featured in the painting belonged to Jenny's Great Aunt, and I love how both objects have been painted with such care and sensitivity.  Indeed, I love this painting.

A mince pie to the first person to tell me how many bees there are in the painting....if you want a closer look, it's currently hanging in our window at the gallery.

Speak soon.

A Labour of Love II

Hello everyone

Do you remember this?

and this.......

'The Hunt' by Hannah Haworth.

And the bees knees......

All created by the extremely talented sculptor and knitting giant (although she's tiny), Hannah Haworth.
Last Christmas we displayed Hannah's spellbinding and large scale installation, 'The Hunt' and it thrilled all who viewed it. This year we are lucky enough to have 2 beautiful knitted doves from Hannah which again are proving to be a big hit.

'Doves', handy dyed silk yarn and merino wool by Hannah Haworth.

Hannah knitted each feather (of which there's over 100) individually and then seamed them together to create the tail and wings. That's a lot of knitting and sewing people! The doves bodies were then wired to create a sense of movement and flight.
When The Hunt was here last year I practically lived in the gallery. I couldn't get enough of them.
This year, on the arrival of the 'doves from above', I couldn't resist the chance of getting some cuddles (they are super soft) in early, and so took them home for a night before the Christmas opening.
Here they are:

I had to be extremely careful of UG hounds Tommy and Harry who were more than a little interested. Eek, perish the thought!
Naughty doggies:

The Doves, at £120 each, would make an ideal and very beautiful present for someone special this Christmas, as would many of the superb paintings on display. We are open until the 23rd so you have plenty time to come in and pick your favourite.

Speak soon x

A real cracker for Christmas.....

See you on Thursday!

Bird Watching

Hello everyone

So now we have done the fish, it's time for the birds.
And there are some stunning species in Union Gallery's Christmas Exhibition.
Lets start with an all time favourite:

"A Bird in the Bush" by Janet Melrose.
Award winning artist Janet Melrose painted this earlier on in the year, outside in her garden. She tells me that the subject of the work...Mr Blackbird....accidentally flew into the canvas! I like that story, a little bit of history about the painting's creation. The frosty blue pallete is very fitting for the time of the year!
Next:

"Green Still Life" by Suzanne Kemplay.
Mmmm. I rather like this painting. Months in the making, that's a hungry little bird in the foreground!
And:

"Sand Martins" by Sally Johns.
The actual birds are done in pastel, but you would be forgiven for thinking they were painted. The be-spoke round frames add to the curiosity factor.
And finally:

"Flat Pack Bird Cage" by Jessica Irena Smith.

Oh folks, this is something else and right up my street! The skill in the making process of this glass cage is quite staggering. Let me know if you want to learn more...prepare to be amazed!

Here was the exciting moment the flat pack arrived with Jessica....

Leaving you with this:

Posted in by lovely artist Ruth Addinall. Another Mr Blackbird, a favourite subject of Ruth's, is checking out the new arrival in the garden. You will be seeing more of Ruth's superb work in the New Year.

Have a warm and happy weekend all x

Something Fishy

Hello everyone

As promised we are continuing on the fish theme:

Mark Nicholas Edward's "Sasaki Kojiro" series continue to amaze all who see them.  The attention to detail and slick presentation is quite mesmerising.
Also mesmerising:

"The Goldfish" by Drummond Mayo.
I probably don't need to point out how beautiful this painting is.  Drummond is the oldest artist who works with Union Gallery, and his life-long experience with paint and brush is clear for all to see.  A brilliant balancing act between colour and composition...the softness of his work puts those who see it under a spell.

"Two Figures in a Red Garden" by Jean Hall
When I look at these graceful and enchanting ladies, it seems to me that the lady on the right is sporting a regal angelfish on her kimono.  However, I am wrong as artist Jean Hall explains to me that this is actually a traditional Japanese Kimono design.  You know what fascinates me about Jean Hall's paintings (apart from the obvious)?  They are very striking paintings with a great deal of impact, and yet they are very calming and therapeutic to spend time with.  Lovely. 

Take a look at this:

"The Chinese Teapot and Batis" by Jenny Matthews
You might not notice the little fish in this beautiful painting at first glance, but it's worth the effort for an extra treat!  This Balinese Earring Fish (I hadn't heard of it either) is so elegant and graceful.

And this:













"Toy Shark" by Henry Kondracki
OK, so strictly speaking this is not a 'common' fish, but something really gets me about this painting - a mix of museum piece and a special love of the subject.  Please feel free to pop in and learn more...

And leaving you with this.....

"Toy Giraffe" by Henry Kondracki
So this is DEFINITELY not a fish, but I couldn't resist showing him on the blog.  It's not every day you see such an enchanting and lovingly observed painting of a toy giraffe......

All these paintings are currently in the gallery as part of our Christmas Exhibition.

Next up, a spot of bird watching..... 

SASAKI KOJIRO!

Hello everyone

I just wanted to steer your attentions to some really cracking paintings in the Christmas Exhibition....

and.........

"Sasaki Kojiro IV" and "Sasaki Kojiro II" by Mark Nicholas Edwards.

I might have previously mentioned that I am lucky enough to own one of Mark's beautiful paintings and I adore it.  Maybe one day I will show you the Auldjo/Union collection.

So these paintings are entitled after one of the greatest swordsmen of Japan. Mark drew an interesting comparison between the skill of a swordsman and that of the artist brush. So, Sasaki may have been the expert of the infamous and brutal "Swallow Cut" but, in my humble opinion, Mark is the expert in wielding the brush with painstaking precision. When you come in for a look you will be able to see the minute detail in these works....they are only 26 x 26 cm!

This is lovely artist Mark Nicholas Edward doing a spot of "Tommy lovin".
A HUGE thanks to Mark for braving the sub-zero temperatures, trekking over town, largely by foot and full of cold to get his paintings here!

Mark also points out that these little fish, swimming away contentedly, will never be great warriors....just eternally peaceful. As with so many artists he has such a beautiful brain and I'm lucky to have him as a friend.

Coming up next......more fishy business!

UG Artists Christmas Party!

Coming to a gallery near you......

UG Christmas Exhibition 2009

Hello everyone...
There hasn't been anything posted for a few days now. This is not because we haven't been doing anything...oh no! Indeed we have been extremely busy hanging our new Christmas Exhibition and would like to share the process with you. For me it is a bit of a love/hate thing. I always enjoy the final weekend of an exhibition and make a point of working on the Sunday so I can view or bond with the paintings one last time. Come the Monday the nerves are already starting to kick in at the thought of the re hang. Inevitably the gallery has to look dreadful before it gets better and I find it difficult to stomach at times. There are always last minute snags and hideous Frank Spencer moments. Over the couple of days we hang the exhibition my mood is like that of a bi-polar bear. Of course when things start to come together and everyones work looks amazing, it is very rewarding.
So it begins.......

The mess. Arrrgh I can't stand it.

I am told that unpacking the stunning work of Janet Melrose was the only thing that cracked a smile for the whole 2 days. Charming.
This is Janet's beautiful work.

The excrutiating worse before it gets better scene....

I hate this stage as it's the end of day one, it's late and I go home and spend the night planning and arranging the work in my head....over and over again.

Day 2 and Scott my lovely window cleaner from Rise and Shine helps me to give the place extra sparkle.

Ahhh that's better. Although just noticed my feather duster and hammer on the floor. I use either one depending on my mood! Speaking of contrasts....the above image shows the light half of Union Gallery. Again the Janet Melrose paintings along the back wall are to die for.
And now...

The dark side! Even the windows have a dark theme: featuring very classy Jenny Matthews and Jean Hall flower paintings with unusual black backgrounds.
Now readers, can you spot the Henry Kondracki "Ice Cream Van" painting that I have previously waxed lyrical about? In left window. During it's time with us at Union Gallery this painting achieved cult status. I am both thrilled and a little sad to say it now has a new and loving home in Aberdeen.
I have found myself strangely in the mood for a spot of romantic dancing all week. Sensibly, almost everyone has politely declined.
Only the Gallery Hounds were mad enough to take me up on my offer....

Cha cha cha

They always have to take it too far. Naughty doggies.