My Cunning Disguise

Hello everyone

In my last post we discussed the merits of one foxy lady, artist Claire Duguid, although again I'd like to stress that you pay attention to her paintings ;)

Not to be upstaged, artist Dylan Lisle also has some foxy offerings and trust me, they are smack you in the face, drop dead gorgeous.
Take a look at this:

'Sionnachuighim', oil on canvas by Dylan Lisle.

Some of you have been highly impressed by my perfect pronunciation of the intriguing title, 'Sionnachuighim' which, translated from Irish, literally means, 'I play the fox'. Inspired.
This incredible painting warrants a detail:

I have so far managed to resist the temptation to stroke fox's nose.
If that wasn't good enough for you, it gets better:

'My Cunning Disguise', oil on canvas by Dylan Lisle.

What can I say? A mysterious and compelling image I'm sure you'll agree.
'My Cunning Disguise' just begs the imagination to go wild. My personal interpretation is this:

Being an artist involves occupying what can often be a strange and uncertain world, often lonely and sometimes demoralising.
Exhibition opening nights are a classic example, and what many artists dread the most. You see, when you have locked yourself away in solitude to concentrate on the work and painted your 'babies' with every fibre of your being (in Dylan Lisle's case he has worked on this exhibition for a year and a half), its only natural that, given the time, financial and emotional commitment to an exhibition, that you are nervous of how the work will be received. I must say that in Dylan's case, as with Claire, there were no 'smart arse' comments, only praise and admiration for his undeniable skill and subtle story-telling.
I believe 'My Cunning Disguise' to epitomise much of how Dylan Lisle feels as an artist. In those dark moments of uncertainty, you have to dig deep to garner the courage to keep going, to remain a true professional at all times. I have no doubt that during the opening of this exhibition Dylan Lisle was experiencing that excruciating 'out of body' experience which I'm sure is all too familiar to many an artist. Yet, and much like a fox, he did so with with stealth, charisma and resourcefulness, all of which are essential qualities required of a credible artist.
I find 'My Cunning Disguise' a stark and tender painting and I adore the caught 'off guard' and behind the scenes atmosphere: the precious disguise, the make up, has been taken off and been lovingly to tendered to.
Surely we can all perhaps relate to this? Do we not all have days when we need to pull on a 'thick skin', an act or performance to get us through the day and be the person we are expected to be?

Speak soon x

Look Closer

Hello everyone,

Firstly, a huge thank you to all who have been in to view award winning artist Janet Melrose's solo exhibition, "A Still Life". And thank you to those who have been in many times now as "it makes me feel good". I completely understand this and my old habits of sneaking in early and leaving a wee bit later have returned ten-fold.
A closer look at this:

"Look Closer", acrylic on canvas by Janet Melrose.
Janet Melrose's exhibition was always going to be special and was the perfect celebration for the month of May. Ok, we seem to be experiencing 'April Showers' this month, but the long, dark cold nights of the incredible winter of 2010 are far behind us. It's time for people to feel better and Janet's work offers calm and inspiration to all who see it. I find it intoxicating and feel Union Gallery currently offers sanctuary.
For me, the above painting goes someway to explain the beauty and sensitivity in Janet Melrose's work. I think it's fair to say that we are living in challenging times, in reality brutal times, Yet I look at this enchanting painting (even the title is perfect), and I am encouraged. If you are daring enough to take 10 minutes out of your gruelling schedule, or have the need to get out out of the office at lunch, then go for a walk. I do this as often as I can to get some thinking space and calm time. To see the birds, bees and blossoms reminds you that there are still perfect and beautiful things in the world. Janet Melrose's exhibition really does encourage you to 'look closer' and focus on the things we often take for granted.
Janet herself described the process of making the work for this exhibition as 'carthartic'. I can feel this completely and for those who see it, there is a similar sensation. Here's a comment from Janet's visitor's book: "May 11th 2011. Crap day. Came into the gallery again to clear my head. The paintings are a breath of fresh air, clearing my brain, filling it with an empty space of beauty, now can go out and handle the crap without it getting me down".

"New Beginning", acrylic on canvas by Janet Melrose.

Have a lovely weekend.

Foxy Ladies!

Hello everyone

I hope you have all been out and about and enjoying the better weather!

This is a special blog as we have 2 very special exhibitions coming up at Union Gallery. April the 11th sees the arrival of award winning sculptor Barbara Franc's new work for her first Scottish solo exhibition, "Diversity". 30 new pieces of work, varying in scale and subject; all perfectly crafted; all simply brilliant. "Diversity" opens on Thursday, April 14th.
Introducing......

"Reynard" by Barbara Franc. Wire netting, steel wire and red oxide.
This stunning chap will be making a trip with all his other companions in a van all the way from London. By the time he reaches Edinburgh, he will be one well travelled fox. I can't wait to meet him!

"Reynard". Profile.
There is much to admire in Barbara's work. I am always amazed by her care and attention to detail. There's as much love and commitment in the small scale works as there is in the larger sculptures. We are always being force-fed the importance of recycling, so I'm sure you will agree, that this is an inspired and ingenious form of recycling.
Barbara was rather modest about making her debut on the blog. However, Newton, her studio cat was more than happy to represent her:

I often think that foxes get an awful lot of bad press. Considered as vermin and a pest to many, I personally believe and I think both artists Barbara Franc and Janet Melrose (who's solo exhibition will be in May) would agree with me, that there is much to admire in them. Of course they are 'cunning', but they are so much more than that. I think they are beautiful and mysterious, inquisitive and intelligent animals. As the modern day world relentlessly encroaches on their natural habitats, they have adapted like the true survivors they are, and I find them welcome visitors to our cities. They are, after all, merely scraping by and surely deserve their place in natures grand plan.
So here is award winning artist Janet Melrose:

Sporting those 'famous' dungarees, I admire Janet's no nonsense and unglamorous approach to her vocation. I'm sure many artists will recognise this 'there's work to be done' attitude. Forget image, the work comes first.

"Spot the Fox", acrylic on canvas.
This painting was given a home in a heart beat. However there will be other foxes appearing in Janet Melrose's solo exhibition "A Still Life", as the fox motif is a recurring theme in her work.
"A Still Life" opens on May 5th, and I canny wait!

Have a great weekend all x