Perfect Little Packages of Joy

Hello everyone,

With just a week to go until our first exhibition of 2013, 'It's the Little Things', comes to a close, I thought it would be a good idea to have a closer look at some of the cracking little paintings hanging in the gallery at the moment.

We should start with this:

'Gone Potty', acrylic on card, by James Newton Adams.
Whenever we are lucky enough to have new work from Skye-based artist James Newton Adams in the gallery, it always creates a stir.  His ability to mix naive charm with a slight sense of melancholy in his work life seems to strike a chord with all who view it.  He is a chronicler of the world around him, exploring the land and seascapes of Scotland as well as the people, animals and objects that inhabit them, often highlighting tensions in their relationships with each other and with the landscape itself.  It is always a pleasure to have his playful, charming scenes of everyday life in the gallery.

And how about this?

'Highland Hiker', oil on canvas, by Henry Kondracki.
Edinburgh institution, Henry Kondracki, is famous for his stunning, and often quirky, views of Scotland.  He is perhaps best known for his larger scale work, yet this little gem is tiny - just 14x14cm and is absolutely exquisite in every detail.  I often feel that it takes a great painter to create something so perfect on such a small scale, and Henry Kondracki has proved it yet again.

As has artist Olivia Irvine with this:

'Woods', oil and egg tempera on canvas, by Olivia Irvine.
We've been  exhibiting work by Olivia Irvine since we opened, back in 2009, and she never fails to get me going with her beautiful, atmospheric work.  This beauty is just 14x10cm in size, and is all the more special for that.  Olivia takes her subject matter from her house and garden, family holidays and themes of childhood and play and recently she has been inspired by swimming pools in Iceland, campsites in the French Pyrenees and rose gardens in Madrid. Often her works explore a combination of natural and man-made elements, and they all have a rather 'other-wordly' atmosphere to them - less to do with observed reality and more to do with the creation of a world of fascination and engagement.  This stunning painting is no exception.

I have given you just a flavour of the special small paintings on show at Union Gallery at the moment, and there are many more.  if you haven't managed to come in yet, I really recommend that you do - it is a really wonderful exhibition.

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!

It's The Little Things

A wonderful New Year, a wonderful new exhibition!

Small and perfectly formed works by leading gallery artists.

Looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday!