Blue Monday

Hello everyone

As today has been nominated Blue Monday and is thought to be the most depressing day of the year, I thought I'd try to cheer you up with some indoors shots from UG.

'It's The Little Things' exhibition does exactly what is says on the tin.
The works maybe small but they are definitely perfectly formed.
Take a look at these:

The ever accomplished work by award-winning artist Mark Nicholas Edward.
His latest series is titled 'Joy In The Little Things' and they do just that!
Measuring an ickle 15cmx15cm it never ceases to amaze me the precision Mark can achieve on such a tight scale.
Also looking super slick:

The new paintings by Stewart Bremner.
Stewart worked extremely hard over the Festive season to ensure his latest work would be ready and dry in time for the exhibition. The results are well worth it and I think could be his strongest pieces to date. Stewart Bremner is working and exhibiting in the States right now and all here at UG wish him every success.

'New Primitive', oil on canvas by Iain Robertson.

I have picked out the above work as my painting for the day. Bright, cheerful and confidently  executed, it's the perfect tonic for January blues.

Last but by no means least:

On the right is team UG's latest addition.
At only 8 weeks old, little Dennis might be small but he too is perfectly formed and an excellent January tonic.

Keep cosy all!

Gone Potty!

Hello everyone

Here's a couple of photos from Thursday night's opening which was great fun! Thanks to all who came along and made it such an enjoyable evening. A great way to start the new year!

Many thanks to artist Ian Rawnsley for traveling over from Glasgow to make the opening. I really like this photo of him standing in front of his latest work which is of his usual excellent standard.
'Rannoch Moor' in particular is a belter!

'Rannoch Moor', oil on board by Ian Rawnsley.

All smiles....

Recently graduated Martyn McKenzie spent his Christmas working away on his paintings for the 'It's The Little Things' exhibition. It was well worth it and 'Old Chain Pier' actually had people fighting over it!

'Old Chain Pier', oil and pencil on panel by Martyn Mckenzie.

I can understand why. It's beautifully done and has such a lovely feel to it.

Here are Martyn's pieces together:

'Estuary East. Studies', oil and pencil on panel, by Martyn McKenzie.

Lastly I must apologise to artist James Newton Adams who came down all the way from Skye to attend the opening. My famous camera skills went potty and you came out too blurred to appear on this blog. Sorry James!
His new work is fantastic and I'm enjoying looking at this one everyday:

'Gone Potty', acrylic on card by James Newton Adams.

Speak soon!

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.