"Scots Pine, Reflections"

Very occasionally, I have used my 1:3 ratio canvasses in this vertical way & some have worked & some not!

This one seems to have worked.......

I am pleased enough to have started another. 

During this year, 2016, I have had two exhibitions.

The first at Peebles Theatre following the "Transcend"

exhibition both of which were successful for my work.

In June/July I was invited to exhibit at the Robson Gallery in Selkirk, unfortunately, few visitors I am told!

......But successful subsequent sales of work

Chris & I travelled to New Zealand in the New Year of 2016 to visit David.

As is usual, David mentioned that I may want to paint whilst there; this time I bought some paints and canvasses and I did paint about five paintings with varied success!

David's apartment has an incredible view across Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown, I concentrated on Walter's Peak across the Lake.

The problem, for me, is the colours..... The New Zealand palette is not that of Scotland!!

The Art@Ancrum Weekend 2nd - 4th May 2015 was extremely well attended by visitors.  The weather was not good, very cold on the Saturday and wet on the Sunday but this did not deter the hundreds of hardy folk who visited the 12 venues around Ancrum.

All the exhibitors were exhausted but enjoyed the weekend, glad to finish and packup on Monday evening!

As always happens, I had some unfinished work in the studio and one particular piece attracted several visitors.  I have therefore worked on it during the last few days and have now finished it.

It is a group of trees I have painted three times before... I call it The Three Witches.

I recently "found" this drawing which stimulated me to revisit an idea after a gap of over forty years!

Earlier in the year I was pleased to be invited to exhibit, as a contributor to the Smorgasborders II Exhibirion in Hawick, The Scott Gallery at the Museum in Wilton Lodge Park.

The Exhibition begins on Saturday 9 August 2014.

I chose five paintings to represent my work and had to include the study of Smailholm Tower.

I have been loath to part with this painting... But now it is time to exhibit it properly.

SOLD

SOLWAY FIRTH

Yesterday, Chris & I decided that we needed fresh air, exercise and new horizons.

An hour and a half drive and we were at Powfoot gazing across the Solway Firth towards Cardurnock.

The weather was fine but with heavy dark clouds overhead.

Today 9 April 2014; time to begin interpreting what I thought I saw!

EVENING SKY STUDIES

The "Evening Sky Studies" were a direct follow on from the Painting above; the first painting completed to my satisfaction in 2014.

The subject matter; Early evening skies, could be any where! But essentially they have developed from my observations from my studio in Ancrum looking across the Teviot Valley towards Timpendean, Lanton or Ruberslaw.

The five paintings are each: 7"x9"

"The Three Witches"

Acrylics on Canvas  24"x24"

This is a return to an idea of about twenty years ago.

A small painting of the same subject was exhibited in a fringe show at the Holmfirth Art Week at that time.

It was purchased by Ryo Kawakami a Japanese Composer ( I believe he composed the music for the Great Japan Exhibition in London in the 1980s ?)

I have lost touch with Ryo, unfortunately, but I hope the painting still hangs on a wall in Tokyo!

I must finish this piece... just a little work required!

"Minto Crag" 9"x 12"

SOLD

Minto Crag near Denholm, a small study.

I intend a larger painting to include the recently renovated Tower.

"Mist at Tantallon Castle"  12"x16"

Tantallon Castle; so many moody ruins on the headlands around the Borders.

The sillouettes of which affect our thoughts and inspire the imagination.

I have attempted to make the image misty and vague to add more mystery... if it has worked I am satisfied... but will try a similar painting again!

SOLD

"Ruberslaw in Summer"  8"x15"

Belongs to David Hickey

Ruberslaw can be dark and forbidding.

Sometimes, however, under a bright and fresh sky the colours on the mountain's slopes glow.

"Treeline" A painting in oils!

Although I have used oil paint in my VI form teaching and adult education, I have not painted in oils since I was at school.

I decided to use the medium today, for the first time since the 1960s, to construct a painting from beginning to end.

A small piece of work; 9" x 12", red ground and oils on canvas.

My first true oil painting for 50 years!

SOLD

"Dark Ruberslaw"

I cannot ignore Ruberslaw, my Studio faces this lonely mountain and I see it dark and brooding to feintly in the mist.

The sky above is always fascinating.

SOLD

"What?"  16"X 24"

I rarely paint pictures of local domestic buildings but this one I cannot ignore.  I see it every day as I look towards Ruberslaw from my studio.

A modern house, only recently built, but an attractive property which fits into the landscape well.  I am very pleased, however, that it was placed where it is and doesn't obstruct the view of Ruberslaw!

Ancrum holds many attractive and historically interesting houses, especially around the green..... maybe future work?