Something New at UG

We are always on the lookout for new and different sculpture for the gallery.  I have especially been trying to find some really high quality glass work to display.  There is a lot of blown glass around, but I was looking for something a bit special, and I am really pleased to be able to say I have found it.

Jessica Irena Smith is a young glass sculptor from County Durham who has been introduced to us by artist Trevor Jones.  Having seen images of her work online, I knew we were looking as something special and, when she came in this week to show us her work, that was confirmed.  Jessica casts her glass bases in a kiln, using the ancient lost wax process.  Without going into excessive detail, this is very similar to the process of making a bronze sculpture, although somewhat more risky as you are working with glass.  To put things into perspective, a larger sculpture like 'Large Sheep Column', below, lives in the kiln for fully 6 days to ensure that the piece cools evenly and therefore not creating stresses in the glass.



















The glass is then hand finished, to create a perfect, smooth, beautiful finish, and then the small cast bronze scultures are added.  Jessica has the lovely little bronzes cast for her by a specialist foundry in Birmingham, and then hand finishes them herself.

So you end up with a sculpture of charm and humour, created with real craft and real perserverence.  The sheep are Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep which look somewhat similar to goats.  A trip to the Rockies, seeing these lovely beasts in their natural environment, proved to be the inspiration. 

We have 3 different examples of the series: the Large Sheep Column, above, and:

Small Sheep Column (a trio), and:

the brillant Wall of Sheep

The detail in the work, along with the quality of the finish, is really astounding.  You only have to look at Jessica's working drawings, which she has been kind enough to share with us, to get an idea of the toil and the creative process that is required to produce such beautiful figures:



I love these sketches... they are fun, but they also tell you quite a bit about the thought process and the work that goes into creating these sculptures.

I can't wait to see more of her work next year.

"Falling Man" gets a photo shoot

I spent the other day in the company of 2 of my favourite things. David Hosie's "Falling Man"painting and my friend and professional photographer Thomas Haywood. It was really nice to be re-united with "Falling Man", a little surge of excitement came over me when I saw him again. He still smells of oil paint....that's 3 months he's been drying for!
Anyway, we are doing a spot of advertising at The Edinburgh Filmhouse and wanted to use a truly iconic and timeless image. Not going to give too much away, however if you go to see a movie then keep an eye open for him....he is pretty distinctive. I always think "Falling Man", although an extremely powerfull image, also has a certain calm to it. His beautifully painted face lacks any obvious expression and he does not appear to be in any distress despite his predicament. He is captured in a moment of time and that is perhaps what gives the painting a permanent and static dream-like status.
We wanted the best possible image of "Falling Man" we could get (I think we have established that my camera skills are poor to say the least). Luckily for me Thomas Haywood, a true wizard with the lens was on hand to show me how a pro does it. I didn't really understand a lot of his trickery, though that a lot of his equipment was pretty impressive. He even had a new toy....a wireless flash trigger thingy....

2 big bags full of gear.

I just want to point out that the floor is immaculate at this point and at no time was "Falling Man" in any distress....he seemed to take it all in his stride.

A few more attempts. Thomas is a real pro and took lots of photos until he got one he was 100% happy with. Good stuff.

Getting there.....

Stunning! As I say, keep your eyes open for "Falling Man" in his cameo appearance at The Edinburgh Filmhouse.

Unexpected Places

I am sure we have all noticed that winter is making an appearance. This involves us all putting up with dark nights and dark mornings for a while. However, winter can also be an inspiring time of the year and can sometimes throw up the odd suprise. The other morning whilst being given the run around by the gallery hounds I came across this.....

A brave Chrysanthemum still proudly holding it's head against the elements. It's growing alongside a tree stump on the banks of the Water of Leith. How did this wee fella get there?

I also noticed these....

Gorgeous Michaelmass Diasies that have set up home next to Inverleith Pond. Always a welcome blast of colour. I find daisies such a cheery flower....right up there with daffodils. The bee in the photo was completely lifeless. I guess he has done his work for the year.

Anyway seeing these flowers put me in mind of Jenny Matthews. She too gets a kick out of finding flowers in unexpected places. Jenny paints flowers but with a bit of a difference. Her work is exquisite and skillful, yet is not overly controlled or tight like traditional botanical studies. Jenny works in watercolour which, as anyone has ever attempted it knows, is not an easy medium to master. I think Jenny Matthews brings out the best in both subject matter and medium. The paintings strike a delicate balance and have a real life to them. This probably has a lot to do with the fact she always works from real flowers which can be a challenge as so many are seasonal. She has to be pretty organised in her work and often makes detailed studies that can be worked into finished paintings at a later date. The background in her work is also important, being impressions of where her final subject matter was found. The next image shows actual Michaelmass Diasies and captures their charm perfectly.

"Aberlady, East Lothian Theme".

I loved this painting when I first viewed it and got even more excited when I noticed the tiny shells interspersed amongst the flowers. Perfect.

And this beauty.....

"Alkanet, Welsh Poppies & Bluebells".

I had an on going battle with Welsh Poppies in my garden this year. They won! I now admire their perseverance and anyway a bit of colour from spring to winter is no bad thing..... I am sure nature knows best.

Jenny Matthews trained under Dame Elizabeth Blackadder at Edinburgh College of Art and you can immediately see the tutor-student influenec which is not uncommon. Jenny Matthews is having a solo exhibition with Union Gallery in May 2010. I am really looking forward to it as, having emerged from the dark dreary winter months, we will be in need of a spot of colourful nature at it's best.

Trick or Treat....and sweet dreams

Well with it being Halloween readers I wanted to bring to your attention this thought provoking work of Art....

Get ready....

Here it is.....

"Night Walk with Toby" by Derek McGuire.

Derek's paintings are all unique and a lot of thought goes into them. Much of his work is profoundly autobiographical. His paintings involve a lot of layering-much like the thought process that goes into them. This special painting was inspired by Derek's daughter Jessie. Derek's mother is quite nervous about her dog Toby being around Jessie and on one occassion shouted at Toby. Jessie picked up on the sense of urgency of the moment and later that night had a dream about it. This is Derek McGuire's interpretation of what that dream may have been like for 3 year old Jessie. A little insight into the imagination of a child where fear and terror exists. It may sound spooky however, the painting has an engaging dream like quality to it. With the layering process involved, this is a classic example of a beautiful painting that deserves to be viewed up close and personal. For that reason "Night Walk with Toby" is hanging in the gallery window at present....for all to see over Halloween. I must say it looks stunning in the evening with the lights on it. Pure poetry!

Lets also take a look at this mysterious and exquisite graphite drawing by Christine Clark.

I like "Warm Viened Roots" a lot. A really fab, delicate drawing. I don't think you see enough examples of good draftmanship in galleries. I remember the words of my dear father ringing in my ears..."you will never do a good painting without a good drawing". He was a scary teacher!

On a lighter note. I spotted this on the railings of Broughton Street.

Love it. Kind of looks like me on a Monday....

And this little guy was posted into us by superb landscape painter Hazel Cashmore.

It cracked a smile on the scowl...thanks Hazel.

Live From Broughton Street!

Well readers as I was stood up today.....yes I know....can you believe it!!
So thought I would use the time I had carefully put aside to once again treat you to some more delights form Broughton Street...........

Even the dogs round here know it's the coolest place to be!

I am very fond of my friendly dinner lady. I do love her frock.

Whereas the outfit in this window has a little less....detail.

During the evening Broughton Street gets really lively and the excellent bars and restaurants fill up. However, this evening we were hit with a torrential down pour so people were moving pretty sharpish. The next pic (another poor one..... I'm not great with a camera) is Broughton Street Lane, just a few doors up from the gallery.

Not sure if you can make out the figures in the background? There's a couple huddled under an umbrella and obviously in a hurry to get home.

Lovingly observed by amazing artist Henry Kondracki.

The figure on the other side of the road is just dying to get home. Henry's painting is better than my photograph!

Little Treasures

I recently took delivery of some new work from the charming artist Mark Nicholas Edwards. He is another talent whose work I have enjoyed for a few years now and I am lucky enough to own one of his "treasures". I also love Koi Carp and sometimes visit the Botanic Gardens to see the Carp in the ponds. I find it very theraputic to watch them clamly bobbing about, not a care in the world. Mark's work has been a big hit at the gallery and he has quite a following already. These new pieces are scoring high on the gorgeous radar! His choice of title's for them are spot on too. I was also really keen to see them on a black back ground as I know a couple who bought a large piece that was to be hung on a black wall. Very stylish I thought.

(Also hoping Santa might be reading this)

"Little Treasures I" by Mark Nicholas Edward.

"Little Treasures II" by Mark Nicholas Edward.

I should point out that these beautiful little pieces are only 13x13cm yet the work in them is quite astonishing. The above piece being a good example. The shading on the right hand side and the work on the scales and fins looks painstaking. A labour of love.

"Little Treasures III" by Mark Nicholas Edward.

Last little treasure.....

"Little Treasures IV" by Mark Nicholas Edwards.

Again this treasure got a gasp. The Koi in this piece are a mere 3cms yet the attention to detail is incredible. Also for such a little painting I think the composition is perfect. I also know that to achieve that slick, glossy, black back ground is a difficult process for Mark. I should image even more so on such a tight scale.

Real little "gems"..... brilliant work.

In the studio space next to Mark works another artist whose work we show.

Imogen Alabaster's work has proved so irresistible that we have none left! However we will be lucky enough to be given another 4 pieces for our Christmas Exhibition. Looking forward to seeing them.

"Affection is what I need" by Imogen Alabaster.

Another cracking title by another clever artist.

Something for The Weekend I. (Just for fun.)

Ok so you can probably guess that we are quite serious about our Art round these parts. I have even been know to spin round with excitement whilst talking about certain artists.....(yes I am sure you do remember that!). Should you be lucky enough to stumble past the gallery windows you may even catch a glimpse of my screwed up wee face scowling at the computer screen. Deep in concentration. However, even I can allow the odd spot of humour to creep into the gallery.

So would like to share a few oddities with you:

Introducing the gallery hounds....

This cheery little face belongs to Tommy our adorable pooch form Boxer Welfare.

This is Harry introducing himself to Barbara Franc's "Palmer". Harry is also a rescue pooch and is proving to have a bit of a "nose" for art. As you will see from the next couple of pics.........

Harry was most taken by "David Hosie's "Man Observing Horizon". And was thrilled when he sniffed out the deadly talented Dylan Lisle's "Object of Desire".

We have probably mentioned our great fondness for Broughton Street. There is such a cool vibe round here and never a dull moment. Just the other day I managed to capture (badly...did I mention I am cack with a camera?) These curiosities.....

I have no idea what the over-sized monkey's head was all about. One can only assume (hope) that it was part of a float. There are a couple of other weird things in front of monkey. The next pic put a wee grin on the scowly face.

The next 2 images never fail to crack a smile. Just a few doors up from the gallery is the delectable Pizza Piccante. Suppliers of the famous Deep Fried Mars Bar. Just the ticket for sorting out the ARTeries! I know... awful.

Rob has just informed me that my lilly feet are not unlike hooves in this picture! Charming.....bring on the onslaught of insulting comments.

Just minutes walk from the gallery is the Edinburgh institution that is Dofos petshop. That wonderful frontage is unmistakable and hasn't changed for decades.

Now immortalised by award winning artist Henry Kondracki.

Once again the proud owners of this little masterpiece are overjoyed with their latest acquisition. Nice.