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A sad bit of news ……’the gallery on the corner’ to close

Yesterday evening Nita and I travelled through to Edinburgh to attend what was the final event at ‘the gallery on the corner’.

As you’ll remember this magnificent little gallery was set up by the charity ‘Autism Initiatives Scotland’ back in April 2010. The gallery had a dual purpose; to work as a professional gallery supporting artists affected by autism or other health issues …..in short, the idea was for it to be an inclusive gallery. Its second role was to provide training, in the form of apprenticeships for young people affected by autism. The apprenticeships were based in either the main gallery, learning the retail side of the business or downstairs in the gallery workshops, (learning new creative skills).

art gallery

Gallery on the Corner, Edinburgh

Over the last five and a half years the gallery has performed well and has been very successful……having held numerous exhibitions and trained many young people through its apprenticeship scheme. Some fabulous artists have emerged with the help of the gallery and are going on to develop careers in the arts, whilst others have gone on to college or to do other jobs.

As patron to this gallery, it has been a real privilege to have been part of this (albeit from the side-lines). I have, as you know, been lucky enough to have been invited to show my work in this great gallery and have held two solo shows there ….. the second one being back in August this year. It’s been a great window for my work in Edinburgh and I really appreciate the opportunity.

So then, it was with great disappointment that I learnt a couple of weeks ago that the charity was closing ‘the gallery on the corner’. I really don’t know the reasons for this decision and don’t want to speculate here …..but it seems a great shame after it has done such good work and after all the hard work by the staff, volunteers and trainees over the years. There was a great sense of sadness yesterday evening. That said, the evening was one to celebrate the great work that the gallery has done since 2010 and there is talk of bringing some of the artists together again in the future to hold exhibitions in different venues. This would be great and would be a fitting way to celebrate the success of this unique gallery and project.

Art Gallery

Art from the gallery on the corner

My thanks to everyone at ‘the gallery on the corner’ for their hard work over the years and my very best wishes to you all in your future careers. Thanks finally to all of you who have visited and supported ‘the gallery on the corner’ …..I hope you enjoyed the experience.

‘Towards Glen Coe, late afternoon, January’

313 'Towards Glen Coe, late afternoon, January', Acrylic & Pastel, 2014, 80 x 80 cm

‘Towards Glen Coe, late afternoon, January’

 

‘Towards Glen Coe, late afternoon, January’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2014, 80 x 80 cm

It’s very warm here in Irvine this morning and so here is a cool image to balance things out!

The real reason for using this painting is that it recently sold at “the gallery on the corner” in Edinburgh and I thought I’d say a big thank you to the people who bought it and to the staff at the gallery.

The scene is a view looking towards Glen Coe from the edge of Rannoch Moor on what was a very cold winter afternoon.   After all the fine warm weather this summer, this kind of scene seems a long way away but in reality there could be snow falling on the higher Scottish summits very soon now!

At last….

South east from Ben Ever

South east from Ben Ever

After weeks of gale force winds and heavy rain and snow, it was great to suddenly get a fine day for the hills.  Not being the most experienced of winter walkers, we decided to avoid the bigger peaks and instead made our way over to the Ochil Hills to the NE of Stirling.   You may remember, we went there on New Years Day 2013 and were lucky to have a fine day with the hills lightly covered with a layer of fresh snow.  The Ochil’s rise to a little over 700 m at their highest and with deep and steep sided glens and wild open tops, they make for excellent wanderings.

Ben Cleuch from near Ben Buck

Ben Cleuch from near Ben Buck

We got our first proper view of these hills as we approached Stirling and Nita reported that she could see snow higher up but nothing on the lower slopes.   I think the point was though, that we could actually see them!  There was no cloud obscuring the tops and the skies above were a mixture of bright blue with patches of darker cloud drifting around…..it looked fabulous.   We weren’t of course the only ones to want to take advantage of this rare fine day and as we approached the small car park below the hills, we realised it was very busy with a big crowd of walkers getting ready. …..it looked like everyone had abandoned Sauchiehall St and was here instead.  We later learned from another walker we met, that the group was part of one of the Glasgow walking / climbing clubs.  Anyway, I always take an age getting ready at the start of a walk and by the time the boots and rucksacks were on, this big group had gone on their way …seemingly heading in a different direction to our own planned route ….we’d no doubt meet them at some point on the hill!

We had simply planned to follow the same route as we’d taken on our last two visits to these hills…..going up and over Ben Ever and then up to the high point of Ben Cluech before returning via the lonely little summit of Ben Buck.

In the Ochil Hills

In the Ochil Hills

The snow level was around 450 m and above that it was quite thick and soft.  For much of the way it was that kind of snow that holds your weight for a fraction of a second before letting you down with a sudden thump!  It was certainly quite tiring walking but the views all around made up for it and it was certainly giving us some good and much needed exercise.  By the time we were at the rounded summit of Ben Ever, a lot more cloud had drifted in from the west creating dark bands and dramatic scenes.  Looking SE the River Forth was a silver glistening band with distant views of the road and rail bridges near Edinburgh.  The cameras were working over time as the constantly changing patches of bright light and dark shadow made for completely different views every few minutes.  Needless to say we were taking our time and there were a good number of other walkers passing by …all it seemed, heading for the honey pot that is the summit of Ben Cleuch on a fine day.

Ben Ever from the slopes of Ben Buck

Ben Ever from the slopes of Ben Buck

As we approached the broad craggy top we heard many voices and saw lots of people and so we decided to stop a couple of hundred metres short of the summit and instead head off to the much quieter little summit of Ben Buck a kilometre away.  I don’t think I’m too unsociable but when out walking in the hills, I do tend to shy away from groups and hide away in a quiet secluded little spot somewhere!

Ben Buck was just that spot with just one lone walker there……it was amazing the difference between the two tops! Ben Buck for instance, having no crowds but also having absolutely no shelter what so ever!   We enjoyed the peace and quiet and big views of snow covered hills for a few minutes and then made our way across the frozen slopes heading for the head of the glen and the track leading back down to our starting point.   On reaching it however, we looked at the long ridge leading to the summit of Craighorn on the west side of the glen and after a quick re-think  decided we’d enough time and daylight to take in this hill on our way back.

Although there was a good covering of snow all the way along the broad ridge we’d noticed on our way up the glen that morning that the snow on the southern slopes of  Craighorn were almost clear of snow.  As you know, I’m not good on descents, but this had to be one of the easiest descents I’ve done in an age.  The slope was an almost constant angle and covered with mainly shortish springy grass that was a joy to walk down.  We descended into the glen on the west side of Craighorn and picked up the track that led back round The Nebbit.  It made a really fine addition  to the walk and we got back to the car just as the sun was setting …..a perfect day.

‘Central Station, Glasgow’

'Central Station, Glasgow', Pastel, 2003

‘Central Station, Glasgow’

‘Central Station, Glasgow’, Pastel, 2003

If you follow this page regularly you’ll have seen this drawing several times, but even though I did it 10 years ago now, I still like it.  The original drawing is now on permanent display at the Royal National Institute for the Blind’s centre in Edinburgh.  It’s quite a large piece measuring I think about 140 cm x 80 cm and is based on Glasgow’s wonderfully impressive Central Station.  I catch the train to Irvine from here quite regularly and on a winter morning when the sun is shining through the glass roof it can be a confusing place for me with the bright light and deep shadows and silhouettes.

Anyway, this being almost Christmas and that, I thought I’d show this piece again as it now available as a high quality reproduction …..could make the perfect present for someone who loves Glasgow and its fabulous station.  Go to the ‘Buy Prints’ section at the top of this page and follow the link direct to the printer’s website.

Summit meeting

View from Edinburgh castle

View from Edinburgh castle

It has been a case of ‘hold the front page’ this week.  My original plan was to do the entire blog about a visit we made to Edinburgh on Wednesday.  Then yesterday I got a very interesting email from a gentleman called Richard Baker…. and I decided that my plans for the blog would have to change a little.

But a bit about Edinburgh first as this really was an important occasion.  As you know, back in 2010 I was invited to act as patron to ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh.  This wonderful gallery, run by Autism Initiative Scotland, not only supports and exhibits work by people affected by autism and other health issues, but it also trains young people affected by autism, in both the creative and retail sides of the business.  On Wednesday afternoon I was invited to attend the gallery to help celebrate the successful completion of their training by the galleries most recent five trainees.  It was good to meet them all and to be there as they were presented with their certificates by gallery manager Susie Anderson.  This is now the third group of young people to have completed training at the gallery and a new group of trainees has just started …..so the gallery staff and trainees are doing a great job and achieving a great deal.

As I’ve said in the past, if you are in Edinburgh at any point, do make it along to ‘the gallery on the corner’.  You’ll find a great selection of works, some by established artists and some created by the trainees in the studios below the gallery.  It’s well worth a visit and of course your support will help more young people get real practical training both creatively and in business and retail skills.  ‘the gallery on the corner’ really is a win win situation …do please support it if you can.

And now, as they say, for something completely different.  You’ll perhaps remember that back in August I think it was, we did a magnificent walk up the Corbett, Mam na Gualainn.  We’d been threatening to take our friend Guy there for a good number of years and so the three of us finally made it to the top on what was a particularly fine day.  It wasn’t clear blue skies, but rather a constantly changing scene as banks of low cloud drifted in from the west and broke around the mountains of Glencoe, the Mamores and….Mam na Gualainn.

Panorama Loch Leven by Richard Baker

Panorama Loch Leven by Richard Baker

A large group of walkers set off up hill a short while before we started but with my slow pace they soon disappeared and we saw no one all the way to the summit.  We’d sat for a while just below the summit eating our lunch and watching the clouds come and go and the views change every minute.  Our plan was to continue east along the grassy ridge for some way before retracing our steps.  As we got up to leave, a gentleman arrived at the summit and we stood and chatted for five minutes or so.  At the time it was just one of those meetings you occasionally have on Scottish hills …..you’ve perhaps been walking for three or four hours and haven’t seen anyone and then suddenly someone appears.  It’s nice to stop and have a chat before both going on your respective ways again.

Anyway, that would have been that, but a couple of days ago a got this email from Richard explaining that he had been the chap we’d spoken to near the summit of Mam na Gualainn back in August.  He said that he’d thought he’d recognised me as we spoke (he had apparently found my website while looking for paintings of Scotland a few months before) but it was only as we headed off that he realised where he’d seen my face before.  Richard was in the middle of a lengthy walk and was heading back towards Corrour.  Anyway, he sent me this magnificent photograph which he took, looking back towards Loch Leven, with Mam na Gualainn on the right and the Pap of Glencoe in the centre.  What a fantastic panorama … I’m going to have to do a walk in that direction myself sometime.

Anyway, thanks Richard, for getting in touch.  You say that you are away walking again this coming week …..hope you have a great time and hope to see you at the studio sometime …..or perhaps again by chance at the top of a hill somewhere.

Are you in Edinburgh at the moment?

Visit:  ‘the gallery on the corner’, 34 Northumberland St, Edinburgh, EH3 6LS

'In the Flow Country, Sutherland'

‘In the Flow Country, Sutherland’

It’s a busy and exciting time to be in Edinburgh at the moment, but if you’re already getting a little over ‘festivalled’ and are seeking something a little different to do, why not visit ‘the gallery on the corner’.   In this small contemporary gallery, set on the corner of Northumberland St and Dundas Street, just a short walk from the city centre, you’ll find a wonderful selection of work by a broad range of artists.  It’s the perfect place to get away from the rush of the city and to enjoy some new and different art …..and maybe buy yourself something special.

 I’ve been showing work at ‘the gallery on the corner’ since it opened in 2010 and as patron to the gallery I am, of course, going to be a little biased.  That said though, every time I visit the gallery I always get a really good feeling about it.  It’s bright and welcoming and friendly ….and above all, there’s always a really interesting and exciting selection of work to see.

 Here are images of the three paintings I currently have at the gallery, but to see the full range of artists work available, take a visit to the gallery itself.

'Low tide, Harris'

‘Low tide, Harris’

'On the Pentland Hills, March'

‘On the Pentland Hills, March’

Visiting the Gallery

The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday, 11.00am to 5.00pm

 ‘the gallery on the corner’

34 Northumberland St, Edinburgh, EH3 6LS

Tel:   0131 557 8969

“Please note that the gallery does not have wheelchair access. There are seven steps down into the gallery making wheelchair access difficult, however if you contact us prior to visiting we will do our best to accommodate you.”

To learn more about this great little gallery and to see images of some of the other artists work, you can visit their website:

http://www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk/

Gallery On The Corner - Map

Gallery On The Corner – Map

No walks, just work

'The Saddle from glen Rosa, Isle of Arran', Graphite on paper, 125 x 75 cm

‘The Saddle from glen Rosa, Isle of Arran’, Graphite on paper, 125 x 75 cm

I had hoped that we’d have been for a good walk by the time I came to write this week’s blog, but what with one thing and another I’ve spent most of my time down the studio.

We did get out though on Thursday, driving through to ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh to collect the work after my exhibition.  I had a pleasant surprise though as we only had to collect 5 framed paintings and the 7 mounted drawings.  The gallery had sold a couple more paintings and wanted to hang on to several others as they have customers interested in some of them.  It seems from what they said, that a number of people who follow either this blog and or my Face Book page, visited the gallery to see the exhibition ….so if you’re one of those ….thank, you.

For any of you who do go to my Face Book page, you’ll know that I’ve spent several days working on a new graphite drawing.  I’ve posted a couple of photos of it at different stages and it is now finished I think.  I got the measurements wrong on FB though ….the actual size of the drawing is 125 cm x 75 cm.  It’s a nice size to work on and more importantly it’s given me an idea of quite how feasible it would be to do a very large drawing using the graphite sticks and pencils.  The answer to this question is, very feasible.  Yesterday I started a second drawing this size, also based on our recent visits to Glen Rosa.  These medium sized drawings should also give me an idea of how I might compose the really big drawing when I come to do it.  Anyway, this is the first one, completed the other day.

We will finally get out walking tomorrow.  As we haven’t been up a hill for several weeks now we reckon a gentle introduction to steep ground would be a good idea.  We’ve decided to head over to The Pentland Hills just outside Edinburgh.  There appeared to be a lot of snow on them still when we drove to Edinburgh on Tuesday, so despite their gentle nature and lack of any real height …we’ll still be taking the winter gear just in case.  We are going to meet up with Dan Thornton, the photographer who we walked with in Glen Rosa a few weeks ago.  He was up in the Pentlands Hills a short while ago when all the snow arrived and he took some beautiful photographs.  You can see some of them on his Face Book page: Daniel Thornton.

Finally, I have taken part in the Scottish Art Circle Easter On-line Sale.  Several of my paintings are included in this along with a number of other artists.  You can visit this by following the link:  http://www.tcweb.co.uk/scottish-art-circle/listings/846.html

Right then, that’s it for this week.  Tales and photos from the Pentland Hills and maybe even another walk next week.  We need to get some exercise …only just less than four weeks to go till our May walking holiday ….on the Isle of Harris.  Can’t wait!

‘Snow shower, on the slopes of Ben Loyal, Sutherland’

266-snow-shower-on-the-slopes-of-ben-loyal-sutherl-acrylic-pastel-2013-76-x-23-cm

‘Snow shower, on the slopes of Ben Loyal, Sutherland’

 ‘Snow shower, on the slopes of Ben Loyal, Sutherland’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2013, 76 x 23 cm

Back in May as you may recall, we had two great days walking on Ben Loyal in Sutherland.  On our first attempt at getting to the top of this wonderful hill, we decided to turn back just a few hundred feet below the main broad ridge.  The reason for this was that there was a sudden change in the weather, from bright and sunny to cloud and snow.  The snow showers came in very quickly and for a short while we had some amazing views through the falling snow up to the main ridge above.  I did one 30 x 30 cm painting based on this scene, after we returned from our holiday in Sutherland and this piece sold recently at the Christmas exhibition at The Strathearn Gallery in Crieff.   I have however been planning to do a second version in the long 76 x 23 cm format.  This is it.  This painting is away being framed at present and will be included in my exhibition at ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh throughout March.

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’

 

 

‘On Blackmount, December afternoon’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2012, 30 x 30 cm

If you read the blogs, you’ll know that we were out walking Ghlas Beinn on the edge of Rannoch Moor just a couple of weeks ago.  The light and colours gave the mountains of the Blackmount great atmosphere.  This painting, still in progress, is my first attempt at trying to capture some of the mood of the place that afternoon.  I’m planning to start several more while the memories are still fresh in my mind.  I may well work on some new drawings too …I really like the contrast between the snow covered mountains and the dark heather and grass covered moor lands below.  If this painting is completed successfully, I’ll be exhibiting it in my exhibition at ‘The gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh …..make a note in your diary …the preview is March 1st and the exhibition will run until the end of the month.

‘Early spring, above Drumochter’

'Early spring, above Drumochter'

‘Early spring, above Drumochter’,

‘Early spring, above Drumochter’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2011, 80 x 80 cm

Thought I’d use this painting as the work of the week seeing that it is currently hanging in ‘The gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh.  If you go to this week’s blog you’ll see that the gallery has been celebrating ….the first five apprentices at the gallery have successfully completed their two year training.  These young people, along with the staff have helped make sure that this very special gallery is a success.  If you haven’t visited yet and live in Edinburgh then why not get down and take a look.  More info at: http://www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk/