Up The Garden Path

The month of June sees us tending to our gardens:

What will you fine up the garden path?

Join us for a summery evening to celebrate the wonders of the flora and fauna (and much more) that inhabit our gardens.

See you tomorrow!

In The Company of Birds

This month at UG sees us doing a spot of bird watching:

and.....

This is a must see for everyone who enjoys the company of birds!
See you all Thursday x x

Iconic and Eternal Bees

Hello everyone,

In my last post I mentioned the amazing feedback we are receiving about the 'Plight of the Bumblebee' exhibition, and how impressed people have been with the commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by the artists exhibiting.  So I'd like to take a closer look at the work of another of these great artists, Sally Ann Johns.

 I distinctly remember the first time I met Sally, and the first time I was introduced to her work.  My reaction was an instant 'Wow! This is very different', and there was no doubt that this was work I'd be proud to show.  Sally's work is influenced by the iconography of the Catholic and Apostolic Churches, with her often stylised subjects surrounded by painstakingly applied gold leaf, presented in their own hand-crafted cases.  They become more than a work of art - they become 'precious artefacts', as Sally describes them.
Let's take a look at these precious artifacts:

There's a certain time in the afternoon when the sun (if it's kind enough to put in an appearance) hits Sally's work and the result is quite spectacular - it glows and is something to behold.  I should note the exact time so that we could arrange viewings of this spectacular show!  However, what has really impressed me and many others is Sally's individual care and attention to detail.  She has actually gone to the trouble of researching and pairing off her honeybees and bumblebees with their favourite flowers:

'Bumblebee I', pastel and gold leaf on board, by Sally Ann Johns.
This flower is the Common Centuary, or Centaurium Erythraea.
And:

'Honeybee I', pastel and gold leaf on board, by Sally Ann Johns.
A honeybee on a Purple-stemmed Aster, or Symphyotrichum Puniceum.

Very clever: not only has Sally created some very beautiful works of art, she has gone the extra mile to ensure that her carefully crafted subjects will live in happiness within an eternal vacuum of gold leaf.

Speak soon. 

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

Closer

Hello everyone

Coverage from the 1st Birthday/Artists Party will follow. A huge thanks to all who came along to help with the celebrations. It really was a lovely evening.

However, before that I would like to take a closer look at some of truly beautiful and very clever paintings that are in the current Summer Cocktail exhibition.

Lets kick off with this:

"A Bird in the Bush" by Janet Melrose.
Award winning artist Janet painted this piece outdoors in her garden. The birds and wildlife that visit Janet's garden have become quite tame and are used to her presence....so much so that Mr Blackbird flew into the canvas! I love that wee story. The blossom is that of a Damson Tree, much more delicate and intricate than that of the fluffy cherry tree. As ever, Janet has handled the subject matter with great skill. You can see the couple of birds in the foreground but can you see the others? Take a closer look.
Another little bird:

"King Fisher" by Sally Johns.
Gold leaf is notoriously tough to photograph.
This image is not bad but you should come in to see the real deal. You would be forgiven for thinking that it's a painting, but the actual King Fisher is done in pastel. Incredible....as good as it gets for well observed drawing. The gold leaf is fabulous too, Sally has good control and a lot of patience is needed to apply all that.
Next:

"River Earn at Carnie Braes" by John Carberry.
This painting speaks for itself. A beautiful summers day on a canvas. I want to be there!

"The House in The Woods" by Fiona Jappy.
This little painting deserves a closer look. It maybe small scale but it's packed with atmosphere, mystery and curiosity. You could look at this piece all day and let your imagination run riot. I think it's like a fairy tale and I bet there are characters just out of site, playing in the woods. Clever and original.

"Backstage" by Douglas Sneddon.
This piece gets a lot of attention, including from a lot of the artists that show at the gallery. Any artist will tell you that approval from your peers, with their well trained eyes, is the ultimate! I am extremely lucky to own a Douglas Sneddon myself. Perhaps one day I will show you it.
Lastly:

Have a closer look at my lovely tubs and you will notice that my flowers are beginning to bear fruit. If you are planning to visit to the gallery soon, perhaps we can treat you to a micro bowl of strawberries and cream.
Speak soon

Lights, Camera, Action!

Hello Everyone,
Union Gallery welcomed the arrival of a film crew from Republic Productions the other evening.  On the recommendation of a client who had recently purchased a particularly nice Jenny Matthews - thanks!  They used the gallery space to film a new commercial for Scottish Widows.

The wonderful crew from Republic Productions

There is even talk of a small cameo role by yours truly.....Cannes here I come!  Keep your eyes peeled for some lovely shots of the gallery on your telly soon.

And leaving you with this happy image:

I had the pleasure of being introduced to Roca the other day.  At nearly 12 years old, Roca is absolutely adorable.  As you can see, he made himself right at home in the gallery.
This is the final weekend of the Jenny Matthews solo exhibition, so it's not too late to come in to view what has been a truly stunning and hugely successful exhibition.
Last but by no means least: massive congratulations to our friends Rory and Olivia, who's first born arrived on 28 May.  Also sending best wishes to lovely artist Sally Johns on her wedding day - today.  Look out for Sally's new work in our next exhibition - she's been busy!   

More from Inverleith Park

Hello everyone

With it being such a lovely day here in Edinburgh, I thought I would once again "treat" you all to some of my questionable phototgraphy skills with some snaps from Inverleith Park.
I really liked this one....somone enjoyed there Easter eggs:

I do apologise for Union Gallery hound Harry doing his "thing". He always has to get in on the act!
Wanted to show you a photo of this curious house that sits slap bang in the middle of Inverleith Park. I never see anyone go in or out.

Anyway, it always reminds me of the house that features in artist Fiona Jappy's cracking little painting:

"Time Had Changed It" by Fiona Jappy.
To me the mysterious house in Inverleith has the same feel and draw to it as Fiona's painting. The house looks familiar yet it seems a little out of place in it's location.
And look at the tree "patterns" in the next photo. There's a specific variety of tree in there (I know I'm rubbish with a camera!)

Again, every time I see these trees along the entrance to the Botanic Gardens I always think of another of Fiona Jappy's paintings:

"From There To Here" by Fiona Jappy.
This special painting was acquired by a really thoughtful chap who was buying it for the arrival of his first born. He told Fiona and I that, once the baby arrived he would drive his wife and child to that very location to see the real place. So sweet....I love happy endings!
Will leave you with this cheeky chap:

Introducing "Ritchie the Rat". I paid artist Sally Johns a visit the other day to collect her newest "Barn Owl" which, of course, is absolutely stunning. I noticed they had a new addition to the household who clearly has made himself at home.
Next week back to the "Not So Still" exhibition.
Have a good weekend all x

Something for the weekend II

Hello everyone
So February was a busy old month and it looks like March is shaping up much the same. We have visited quite a few studios recently, and more are lined up this month. We shall of course keep you posted on our adventures.
We had a visit from artist Sally Ann Johns the other day, accompanied by her brother who, it turns out, is pretty niffty with the camera. He took some amazing snaps of the gallery and it was interesting to see the space "distorted", if you like. The work still looks amazing though....

Bendy!
I also wanted to go back to artist Ruth Addinal's work. Rememeber the "Mug & Ivy" piece I raved about in the Tweet Tweet entry? I compared her work and style to an all time favourite artist of mine, Henri Rousseau. Well a certain person who shall remain nameless (Rob) remarked that he didn't see it and thought that I was maybe a bit off the mark. Anyway, always keen to prove that I am in fact CORRECT on these matters, I thought I would give it another go and came up with this:

"Fantasay Garden" by Ruth Addinal.
and:

A classic jungle scene by the wonderful Henri Russeau. (This is a wee print I have hanging in the gallery loo as I love to be surrounded by my favourite images.) I rest my case.
Also, leaving you with this.....as I happen to be in a good mood. Have a good weekend all!

Birthday Blog

Hi everyone
I mentioned that February was shaping up to be a busy, busy month and so far it is. However, I would like to rewind to Tuesday the 2nd.....my birthday. I am not going to tell you how old I am. Let's just say I am incredibly youthful.....obviously.
It was lovely to turn up at the gallery and find a bundle of cards under the door. Some very lovely, and some just down right rude so I won't be showing you. The one below cracked a smile on my extremely youthful face.

Inside another:

Lovely. I was working on my birthday, but decided to mix the day with a healthy work/play balance. The day started off well with a new delivery from sculptor Carl Newman. I was particularly keen to see the piece below as it's a new line from Carl.

Oh yes....he is lovely. In fact he was only on the wall for a day before he hopped off to a new home. Again I even liked the little "nest" he arrived in.

My day was brightened even further with a visit from award winning artist Henry Kondracki. My ice cream van hero strikes a pose:

Note the red Greyfriars art bag....no doubt the contents will end up another Kondracki masterpiece.

Birthday bouquet. A wee posy from a secret admirer.

Followed by a spot of working lunch.......

We splashed out with that reduced to clear beef from Scotmid!!

The afternoon was also exciting as I anticipated the arrival of Hazel Cashmore's new work. I will be going into Hazel's work in more detail soon. I will say that when the work was being unwrapped there were a lot of "wows". One after the other, each piece as good as the other. I wasn't expecting them to arrive in such a whopping great lorry. Or to be handled by such a friendly courier driver!

Then another delivery from Sally Johns. When I first viewed Sally's work the response was instant. A mixture of excitement and curiosity. I haven't seen anything like her work before. It's fab.

A sneak preview of Sally Johns "A Blue Bird".

And look at Mr Barn Owl. With all that gold leaf (which must have been painstaking for Sally to apply) he looks dazzling in the gallery window. He is certainly getting a lot of attention.

The exhibition night was a real HOOT.....sorry.