Goodbye and Hello

Hello All

The end of our Festival exhibition, 7 Artists: Edinburgh Soul, is nigh!  Monday is the very last day.
So Alison and I have that regular, slightly depressing feeling that we are about to lose a group of great friends - the paintings and sculpture that have kept us company over the last four and a half weeks.  When you're surrounded by work by some of the finest artists working in Edinburgh, it's hard not to get attached to them.  If you haven't been in yet, I strongly recommend that you try and find the time over the next couple of days....it really is a superb exhibition.

Alison having a quiet moment with Graham Flack's 'I Wait for You' before it goes off to it's new home in Glasgow.

Award winning artist David Hosie having a look at "Mythopoeia" and a final look at "Anima" before she begins her journey to her new home in Germany.

As well as Graham Flack and David Hosie's brilliant work there are new paintings by Olivia Irvine, Michael McVeigh, Henry Kindracki and Philip Braham, and amazing bronze sculpture by the brilliant John Brazenall. A real feast for lovers of great art.

'Constellation 4' by Philip Braham 

'Father Son' by David Hosie

However, for all of you who think that September is a little bit of a cultural void after the overload of the Festival, I have some very good news for you.  Our next exhibition, opening on Thursday, is a collection of new work by the brilliant painter Derek McGuire, titled 'ELLA NOVO LOCO'. 

Derek McGuire is a lecturer at Edinburgh College of Art, and a painter of extraordinary depth and diversity.  His work will amuse you, confuse you, and definately challenge you.  This is an important exhibition, where the artist has used his unique voice to superb effect. 

If you look in The Scotsman on Monday, you will find an advert for this exhibition, along with an image of this painting:

'The Relaxing Pleasure of Shitting in the Woods' by Derek McGuire

In their wisdom, The Scotsman decided that the word 'shitting' was far too offensive for their readers, even though they seem to cope with the daily dose of murder, rape and cruelty.  So, they insisted on changing the title to 'The Relaxing Pleasure of Sh***ing in the Woods'.  I have only just stopped laughing at them.  How ridiculous.

Anyway, more on this exhibition will follow, but for those of you who like to be challenged and enthralled by their art, you really should come along in September.

The Bush That Turns Red

Hello everyone

Something quite special happened at Union Gallery the other day which I wanted to share with you.
I have spent most of the summer fretting about my wildly out of control bush. I apologise to my neighbours who have been very patient about the ever encroaching hedge. I have felt shame everytime someone tried to walk along the pavement whilst dodging the massing branches.
My bush:

On deciding enough was enough, and that it was time to do the right thing, I enlisted the help of my good friend and brilliant landscape gardener Cliff Hall, safe in the knowledge he would show my hedge who's boss.
Cliff, the man who can:

It was hair raising stuff! Especially when he suggested that whilst using a chainsaw you should always be on the look out....for pedestrians.
Sure enough after a bit of elbow grease my bush was tamed and in much more respectable shape. I felt an immediate sense of calm come over me. That my ying and yang had been restored and that I had indeed done the right thing.
The very next day a lovely couple visited the gallery and bought a really special painting that has always been a favourite of mine:

Gorgeous little painting: "The Bush That Turns Red" by award winning artist Olivia Irvine.
A very special couple and a very special painting. I have said before I love happy endings....when magical things happen. I just cannot believe the coincidence of having just trimmed my own bush the day before.
Come in and look at Olivia's and all the other Edinburgh based artists during The Festival.

With the Edinburgh Art Festival in full swing I've decided to throw myself in the deep end. Next week I will be battling with the Festival goers on the Royal Mile. I would like to catch a glimpse of some pipers and get a feel for the party atmosphere......captured lovingly in:

Michael McVeigh's smashing painting, "Parade on Royal Mile".

I shall also be making pit stops to the establishments The Conan Doyle and The Jekyll and Hyde Bar. I would like to make sure they are aware of sculptor John Brazenal's "pop guns".
Check back next week to see some Festival footage....provided I don't get squashed!

Action!

Hello eveyone

Thought you might like a look at this fabulous video. It's by my new partner in crime Stewart Bremner.
I spot of behind the scenes action and subsequent opening night....a lot of wine was enjoyed!

I would also like to invite you all along to a talk by award winning artist Philip Braham. He will be telling us as bit more about the inspirations and influences behind his stunning "Drift" series of paintings.
This Thursday 6pm. Dont miss it.



Snapshots in the life of a gallery from stewart bremner on Vimeo.

Its Festival Time!

Hello everyone

Its August again, and that means one thing here in bustling Edinburgh....its Festival time!
Througout July many visitors to the gallery have asked how we could match the outstanding Dylan Lisle, Patsy McArthur exhibition. A good question.

I think we have the answer........

and......

Don't miss this superb exhibition.

http://www.edinburghartfestival.com/