Tuesday, May 8th 2007

Almost Exhibition time!

• · Mood: Hyper!
• · Music: Madonna American Life

Today and tomorrow I am putting finishing touches together for the exhibition. It has been great fun with lots happening. Yesterday I was interviewed on camera and I hope to put the results up here in the next few weeks.

Today, the gallery sent me a snap of how the things are looking so far with the majority of the art hung on one large wall.

Only 2 days to go....off to paint some more finishing touches.

Sneak preview of the main wall being assembled at the Park Gallery in preparation for Thursday’s preview evening.

I hope to see you there!

Thursday, May 3nd 2007

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• · Mood: Still excited
• · Music: Madonna American Life

More painting today and I even had time to sit in the sun at the Cafe at the studio and enjoy a healthy salad. “Cafe Sejuiced” does great, healthy food and if you ever come to visit me I promise to buy you a cup of tea!

Tomorrow, a high profile advertisement for my exhibition is being placed in the Daily Mail newspaper.

I got a sneak preview today and have to say that I am really pleased with it.

Wednesday, May 2nd 2007

Black Tie Affair

• · Mood: Excited
• · Music: The Radio!

In the run up to my exhibition next week, I believe the excitement makes me paint better!

This is a new oil, “Black Tie Affair” which is nearly completed and will be making an appearance at the Park Gallery next week.

As I have mentioned in the Art News section, several artworks for the exhibition have sold well ahead of the event. They will however be there to view on the preview night.

If you see a piece that you are really interested in, please let me know and I can put you in touch with the gallery to avoid any disappointment

Tuesday, May 1st 2007

The Rough with the smooth

• · Mood: Relaxed
• · Music: Still Madonna: Bedtime Stories

It was a visit to the hospital again yesterday, this time for a massage. I was informed I had a lot of “knots” in my back. Talk about pain! The knots are now gone and it feels fantastic. Odd at the time and at one point I thought my arms would be pulled from the socket. Overall it was excellent and I would highly recommend a sports massage. I am back in 2 weeks to get my legs done.

More painting today and yesterday and it’s been a male art time. No ladies at the moment. Very into this kilt art and having lots of fun with it. Today I completed a new piece, in wiry rough strokes and I was also working on a very different piece in oils, which I paint in a completely different, more relaxed manner.....it must be the effects of the massage!

Most of the art for the exhibition next week is now complete but as I am painting so well at the moment, I might pop in some new paintings if space in the gallery permits.

Thursday, April 26th 2007

Stress and paint

• · Mood: Busy (is that a mood?)
• · Music: Madonna: Bedtime Stories

Well, it’s been a busy old time. Just the way I like it.

Made it to the Glasgow Art Fair last Saturday and it was busy...to say the least. Good to see the event so well attended. Lots of interesting things to see and for me, one or two really special stand out pieces of art.

For me, the pace has picked up with my biggest solo art exhibition only two weeks away now. This is the first exhibition I have had where two pieces have sold before the event has even taken place but I am delighted that both collectors have agreed to the pieces being in place for the preview evening.

I am not aware of being stressed but at a regular hospital visit yesterday, my physio told me my shoulders were nearly touching my ears so I am booked in for a massage on Monday. No messing about there and if it helps me to “unclench” a tad then is can only be a good thing!

Another kilted man has been completed. These are going to be a series and this is the second.

More painting tomorrow....oil or acrylic? I will decide in the morning ;-)

New Art “Kilted 2”

New Art “And So To Bed”

Friday, April 20th 2007

April treat...

• · Mood: Happy
• · Music: Numan

I thought I would round up a good week in the studio with a treat and spent today working on a painting which has taken me over half a year. Nearly finished now and I am really happy with this one. The girl’s name is Jennalee and I just had to paint her! She is from the USA. Not finished but nearly. Oil on canvas.

The only hard part about today was working with a bit of a hangover. Not my fault but an old friend treated me to a birthday dinner last night and it was followed by a few beers in the center of Glasgow. We are catching up again at the weekend to go the the Glasgow Art Fair which is an annual event and usually worth visiting.

Wednesday, April 18th 2007

What does a Scotsman....

• · Mood: Relaxed
• · Music: John Foxx

...wear under his kilt? I think we all know the answer to that one.

Every so often I paint something which creates much more interest than other art that I am working on and I can never predict what it will be.

I painted this fellow very recently. He sold almost immediately but the inquiries just keep coming! Thanks for all the comments and interest.

Today was a great day in the studio. I completed a series of commissions for a gallery in England and I have no less than four other pieces on the go at the moment. Two oil paintings and two acrylic pieces. I am sure that I am not the only artist who works this way and it keeps things moving along.

Monday, April 16th 2007

Out with the old?

• · Mood: Energetic!!!
• · Music: Bowie

As some of you who follow my progress (I am flattered....thank you), will know, I have recently started painting landscapes again.

The new landscapes are quite bold and painted with energy, and any bravery that I can muster.

I thought it would be interesting to display some of the old landscapes which I used to paint in watercolour. I was working flat-out at the time with my hectic design career and these were painted, slowly in a peaceful manner whilst on holiday in the north of Scotland.

How things have changed.

Friday, April 6th 2007

Sneak art preview

• · Mood: buoyant
• · Music: Kate Bush - Aerial

Good Friday and a good days painting....with a big lunch break. An old friend (ok Chris, I am not referring to your age but the length of time we have know each other!) visited the studio and treated me to lunch.

The studio cafe was closed so we visited Coias on Duke Street. Fantastic food and great service. It was odd because I recall my mother talking about this place as she went there as a child and although recently refurbed it still has a quality old-fashioned feel to it. I was very good and had a salad!

Back at the studio I continued working on a new piece. It has been a weird mix this one and the style has changed as it has progressed. It is an oil piece and there is something a touch De Lempika about it I think. Anyway, she is not finished yet but I thought it might be interesting to show a work in progress.

Suggestions for a title would be most welcome.

Tuesday, April 3rd 2007

Painting Blondie

• · Mood: Happy
• · Music: Curse Of Blondie

Today was a great day in the studio. One of those days when the sun was beaming right in through the windows and just brightening everything right up.

I was working on no less than four different pieces today. After a very healthy lunch break -(the cafe at the studios makes fantastic soup but I gave last weeks porridge and fish a miss!) I managed to complete my latest Blondie piece. I love Debbie Harry, I have seen Blondie live countless times. This piece is based on the Rockbird cover, which was a hard, quite intense look.

I hope you approve....

Friday, March 30th 2007

Daddy's Girl.

· Mood: Relaxed

· Music: Ray of Light Madonna

My daughter is 14 and she is scaring me.

Don't get me wrong, she is still sweet, but daddies little girl is definately growing up. I know a billion fathers have been here before me but it can be hard.

Suddenly going to the park has been replaced by going to "gigs"

She knows that sometimes I struggle for models and I asked last week if she would model for me. Out came the makeup and the hair extensions! I have changed the features just a bit so that people don't recognise "my wee girl" but I am asking myself as I look at it...."do I recognise my wee girl?".