counter hit xanga
edinburgh | Scottish Landscape Art - Scottish Landscape Paintings - Part 2

Posts Tagged ‘edinburgh’

All smiles at ‘the gallery on the corner’

Posted by admin on September 1st, 2012
'the gallery on the corner'

‘The Gallery on the Corner’

If you’ve read these blogs over the last couple of years you’ll know that I’ve been involved, albeit to a very small degree, in ‘the gallery on the corner’ in Edinburgh. The gallery, which was set up by Autism Initiative, Scotland, has a dual purpose….. to operate as a professional but ‘inclusive’ gallery exhibiting and promoting the work of artists affected by autism or other health issues, whilst at the same time providing a real working environment in which young people affected by autism can train and learn genuine work based skills and gain a recognised qualification.

‘The Gallery on the Corner’ opened in April 2010 and a few months prior to this I had been invited to act as patron. I first visited the gallery while the builders were still busy but was instantly impressed by the professionalism and real enthusiasm of the team who had been tasked with the rather daunting job of establishing this new and rather special art gallery in Edinburgh’s main gallery district. When I arrived on the day of its launch, I knew that the right people were at the helm, the gallery looked fantastic, bright and modern and with a fantastic selection of work, all exhibited to a very professional and high standard. The gallery employed five apprentices working on either the retail side, (upstairs with the public) or on the artistic side, honing their skills as artists in the studio / work areas downstairs below the gallery.

It is now just a little over two years since the gallery opened and on Wednesday last week there was cause for celebration ….the first five apprentices had all very successfully completed their training, (both in the work place and at college) and it was time to present them with their certificates. It was an emotional time for all at Autism Initiative Scotland and especially those working at the gallery and it was fantastic to see how well the trainees had done …indeed, one of the trainees has already had a number of important commissions and his work has received much interest and media coverage.

For me, it has been a real pleasure to be involved with the gallery on the corner, to watch the progress and to see the very successful completion of the first cycle of apprenticeships. I try and visit the gallery several times a year, to attend exhibition previews, to deliver or collect work, or simply to call in for a chat. The very high standards set at the start have been maintained and I think this gallery offers something special for the gallery goer. …the work is of a high standard but it often has something you don’t always see …a bit of an ‘edge’. It obviously takes a bit of time for folk to ‘find’ a new business, especially in the gallery rich area in which it’s located, but from what I hear, I think people are starting to realise that the gallery on the corner offers something a little bit different. If you live in Edinburgh and haven’t visited the gallery yet, then I would strongly recommend that you do so.

Finally I have to add my congratulations to the five trainees, whose hard work has made this very special gallery a success. My congratulations too, to all the people involved in establishing and running the gallery, especially the gallery manager Susie and her two assistants Paul and Rob ….they’re all seriously good at their jobs.

For further information about ‘the gallery on the corner’, visit: http://www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk/

Posted in Exhibitions, Information Updates, Studio Tags: , , , , No Comments »

If you’re in Edinburgh….?

Posted by admin on June 30th, 2012

I’m running a little late this week and so this is going to be a very short blog.  I’m not quite sure what happened to all the time this week but suddenly it’s 21.00 on Friday evening!   I’ve spent most of the week since Saturday, at the studio ….all except Monday when we went walking ….and Thursday when we went across to Edinburgh.  The reason for this trip was to deliver some paintings to The Gallery on the Corner.  The works include two of the small postcard size paintings, one of my new 30 x 30 cm paintings, one of the 76 x 23 cm paintings and two of the large 80 x 80 cm pieces.   The gallery is increasing its wall space by opening a small café and so were looking for a little more work.  So then, if you’ve never visited The Gallery on the Corner or haven’t been for a while, why not call in and see the work they have.  For details of the gallery, click on the link at the side of this page.

The paintings I’ve just delivered include the following pieces:

'After a day in the snow, looking back from Rannoch Moor'

'After a day in the snow, looking back from Rannoch Moor'

'Early spring, above Drumochter'

'Early spring, above Drumochter'

'November afternoon, below Stob Coire Raineach'

'November afternoon, below Stob Coire Raineach'

As for the work I’ve been doing this week, well it’s been a bit of a battle ….and I lost!!!  After five days work on one new 80 x 80 cm acrylic and pastel piece, I decided it was going no where ….and I painted over it with white emulsion …ahhhh!  Oh well, that’s all part of painting I guess.  It’s not the first time and no doubt won’t be the last.  I think that the problem with the piece was the composition …if that’s wrong …well, you’re on a looser.  In the past I would probably have persevered only to have scrapped it after several more days.  I hope this means I’ve learnt from past errors …but I doubt it!  Not all is lost though as I’ve also been working on a new 80 x 80 cm oil painting on canvas and thankfully this is coming on quite well.  So then, hopefully in a week or two I can post an image of this piece ….hopefully!

Posted in Exhibitions, Information Updates, New Artworks, Painting Themes, Scottish Mountains Tags: , , , No Comments »

‘Autumn mists, Glen Lyon’

Posted by admin on January 12th, 2012
autumn-mists-glen-lyon-acrylic-pastel

'Autumn mists, Glen Lyon'

‘Autumn mists, Glen Lyon’, Acrylic & Pastel, 2010

I did this as one of the two postcard pieces for last year’s postcard exhibition at Scotlandart.com in Edinburgh.  Based on the beautiful autumn colours we experienced a year or so ago while driving through Glen Lyon en route to one of the hills, this little piece is quite abstract but hopefully conveys some of the colour and atmosphere of that beautiful morning.  This piece is still available direct from my studio ….I’ll be posting details on the Paintings for Sale section shortly …but you can always contact me direct: keith@keithsalmon.org .  Happy New Year!

Posted in Artwork of the Week Tags: , , , , , , , No Comments »

A change of scene

Posted by admin on September 9th, 2010
New Look Courtyard

New Look Courtyard

When I left Irvine for Speyer on May 11th, big changes were afoot at the courtyard studios. WASPS had decided to refurbish the studios and while doing so, were taking the opportunity to create several new spaces in the roof space. The work was planned to last until around the start of July and in a way, it was perfect timing for me as I would miss much of the disruption. As it turned out, I heard tell of the disruption every few days as Anita was ‘studio sitting’. My space is in the old part of the building. I’m not quite sure how old, but a chap came in the other year and told me that my studio used to be his office back in the 1950s…when he was a customs officer. Since then it had fallen into disrepair….understatement. When the builders moved in, they found that a section of the floor joists had rotted through and it was only the patchwork of pink and yellow carpet that was holding the floor up! The rear wall, covered by a chipboard outer, was completely crumbling away and Gordon, one of the other artists, described it as being like a waterfall when it rained…explains the dampness I think.

Anyway, I flew back to Scotland last Thursday evening and went down to my studio on Friday…and what a difference. For starters, the dreadful pink outer walls are now a slightly better, if somewhat strange, green colour….but it does look a lot better and people have started to notice us. As for my own studio, they have done a great job…a new floor, the waterworks completely repaired and a new door that actually fits the frame…and a heater! With a bit of luck, it will be a much more pleasant experience during the winter months and I’ll not need to dress up like the Michelin man.

New Look for the WASP Courtyard Studios, Irvine, Ayrshire

The WASP Courtyard Studios, Irvine, Ayrshire

So then, it has been straight back to work, as I have to get 6 pieces ready for a group show at Scotlandart.com which opens in late October. It’s great to be back in Scotland but although there’s lots of work to do, I am going to make sure there’s time to relax too. Today Anita and I have been to see the magnificent exhibition of the Lewis chessmen at the National Museum of Scotland and the Impressionist Gardens exhibition at the RSA, both in Edinburgh. We’re heading up for a walk near the Cairngorms on Sunday and have already organised a day on the hill with our very good friend Guy…I can’t wait. Well and truly back in business I think.

*** Please note that WASP Courtyard Studios will be having its traditional Open Weekend from the 2nd and 3rd of October. So why not come along and see the changes. Everyone is very welcome!  ***

Posted in Information Updates, Personal, Studio - Videos Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments »

Busy, busy…

Posted by admin on April 25th, 2010
Gallery on the Corner - Opening Event

It’s Sunday and I’ve only just got around to writing this weeks blog. Suffice to say it’s been a very busy week!

I managed to get some painting done on Tuesday and had a very good day. After many weeks of working on fairly small paintings, I finally got to work on a slightly bigger piece …and it went very well. Monday though was spent getting the last of the books ready for the years end and taking them down to the accountant – a couple of weeks ago I’d received a letter from the revenue, reminding me that a tax return would be required later in the year. The rest of Monday and most of Wednesday was spent doing urgent paperwork and making sure I had everything ready for The Gallery on the Corner Official Launch Event …to be held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

As I’ve already reported, the gallery opened a number of weeks ago, giving everyone involved a chance to find their feet and get any last minute tweaks made before the official launch. As patron to the gallery I planned to go along to all of the events taking place over the three days.

The first session was due to run from 10 am until around midday and was for the press. I was up at about 5am and felt very odd in my new suit …I’m more of a jeans and t-shirt bloke really! I caught the 7 am train from Irvine and arrived at the gallery in Edinburgh around 9.15am ready for the press hordes …only to find that they’d all cancelled ….due to the general election coverage! Great, everything stops for the general election.

Gallery on the Corner - Edinburgh

Such a shame because the gallery looked fantastic. Susie Anderson the gallery manager and her boss Aileen had done a really tremendous job in getting everything ready. The main gallery is light and airy but full of a wonderful range of work, paintings, prints, drawings and craft …all of a very high standard. Sourcing all this work and hanging the exhibition was an art in it’s own right and Susie has put together a diverse, challenging and beautiful exhibition ….I heard one local gallery goer say as she walked in, “ wow, this is a real breath of fresh air”…..and it really is.

The press I think missed a real trick, along with a great story. Anyway, I guess it’s understandable and hopefully this exciting project will catch their attention once the immediate political mayhem is over …..it ought to as this gallery is going to be of interest to all those who love seeing and buying art and craft.

All the other events went off perfectly and were admirably supported by folk from all walks of Scottish life. It was black ties for the evening event on Thursday and around fifty people enjoyed superb hospitality and had a chance to see the work on show ….much of which was sold. I had been invited to display several of my paintings and I’m pleased to say that three of these sold too.

So then, an excellent start for this very special gallery. The real business of the gallery will start shortly with the first of the businesses apprentices starting work in early May. Others will join her shortly. In the large area downstairs, there are to be I think four studio spaces to be rented out to artists and crafts people.

Gallery on the Corner - Edinburgh

I had a really great few days and met some amazing people including several of the artists. In setting up this business, Autism Venture Scotland have set the bar very high. I’m sure it will be a great success both as a business and in it’s primary function as an employer and provider of real work based training for young people affected by autism. If you’re in Edinburgh, do get along to see the work and please spread the word …you wont be disappointed.

more Gallery on the Corner

For more information about The Gallery on the Corner, along with Autism Ventures Scotland, click on the link at the side of this page. You could also visit their Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=390968703244

Posted in Exhibitions, Information Updates Tags: , No Comments »

Deadlines!

Posted by admin on March 5th, 2010
'Heavy weather, Drumochter', Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 76 x 23 cm

'Heavy weather, Drumochter'

It’s a busy time at Studio E and this last week has been no different.

I have to get work ready for three exhibitions before I go away to Speyer in early May.  I’m taking three paintings over to the Fisher Gallery in Pittenweem in Fife for their first show of the year.  This opens on March 27.  I’ll be exhibiting three new paintings all of which are finished, framed and ready to take to the gallery in a couple of weeks.

The next deadline after that is to get seven paintings ready for the Spring Exhibition at the Atholl Gallery in Dunkeld. This opens on April 17th and runs until June 7th.   Of these pieces, three are still to be completed but one of these is almost finished.

'Blackmount', Acrylic & Pastel, 2009, 30 x 30 cm

'Blackmount'

My final deadline is to get 10 pieces ready for my joint show with Alison Thomas at Blairmore Gallery. This will open on 18th June and run for six weeks through until 28th July.  This though is while I’m away in Germany, so everything has to be ready before I go away.  My partner Anita has said she’ll take the work up to the gallery as I’ll not be able to get back for the show unfortunately.

So then, a lot of painting still to be done, but I do already have some work finished and ready for this show.

'On Rannoch moor', Acrylic & Pastel, 2010, 30 x 30 cm

'On Rannoch Moor'

The week started off though, with my meeting a deadline …which is always good.  As I’ve already mentioned in an earlier blog, I’ve been asked to act as a patron to ‘the gallery on the corner’, a new project being established by Autism Ventures, Scotland.  The gallery is in a prime location in Edinburgh and will be opening towards the end of March.  Its official launch will be on 22nd, 23rd & 24th April.  For more details about the gallery and Autism Ventures, Scotland, see below.  Suffice to say, they kindly asked me to exhibit a few pieces of my work in their new gallery and so I’ve been trying to get a few new paintings finished for them.

On Monday two of the people involved in setting up the gallery, visited my studio to pick up the five pieces of work.  Three of these are new paintings, two of which are 30 x 30 cm and one being 76 x 23cm.  I’ve also included a brand new small drawing and a pencil drawing I did last year.  I think the five pieces should work quite well together and I’m looking forward to seeing them on the walls of the new gallery.

The Gallery on the Corner

The gallery on the corner is the first social firm from Autism Ventures Scotland (AVS), part of the Autism Initiatives Group. AVS has been established to create employment opportunities and experiences for young people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) in Scotland.

The gallery on the corner is an inclusive, fine art gallery situated in Edinburgh’s New Town. It provides artists who have a disability, mental health problems or those from a disadvantaged background with a platform to exhibit and sell their artwork in a high profile location in the heart of Edinburgh’s gallery district. Beneath the commercial gallery space we have four studio spaces that will be rented to practicing artists who will work with apprentices with ASC.

A third branch of the business will open later in 2010. We are in the process of securing premises for a creative studio where young people with ASC will produce original artwork for sale, using an ‘art as therapy’ approach.

AVS will be offering apprenticeships and other opportunities to 16- 25 year olds with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) in both retail and art. The apprenticeships will include on the job, and vocational training, resulting in a recognised qualification.

Contact details:

The Gallery on the Corner

34 Northumberland St

Edinburgh EH3 6LS

Phone numbers:

Gallery:    0131 557 8969

Studios:    0131 557 8921

Opening times: Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

Posted in Exhibitions, Information Updates Tags: , , , , No Comments »
Newer Entries »

    Contact Details

  • Tel: 07568 380552 or 01294 216427
    E-mail: keith@keithsalmon.org