January Connections

Of Friends and Art Galleries…

Connecting with Friends

Early in January Artists Ronnie Cruwys (left), Janette Sumner (right) and I met up for the exhibition of J.M.W. Turner’s watercolours at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh.

We live hours from each other in Scotland so it’s always a delight to connect in person, see art in real life and fill the proverbial creative well.

We’re planning an exhibition together in Edinburgh at Easter but since we’re still painting, I’ll tell you more very soon.

Visiting the Vaughan Bequest

It was my first time seeing Turner’s watercolours in the flesh. They are so vibrant in real life, they didn’t disappoint and it was worth getting up before dawn to see them.
He’s such a master at painting the light.

These paintings on paper are only displayed in January, a condition of the donation from collector Henry Vaughan in 1900. That’s why you’ll see this collection referred to as The Vaughan Bequest.

If you can’t view these watercolours by the 31st this year, they’re back 2nd to 31st January next year.

You’ll probably see me there again as I find the way Turner painted the light so inspiring!

And if you’re a World Heritage Traveller, you might want to check your list and see how many of the sites you’ve visited have been painted by Turner.

Uplifting Winter Sunrise

Catching the early Megabus to the city reminded me of the many early morning journeys I did last year.

Watching the muted colours of the winter clouds make the light sing inspired a collection of paintings called Winter Sunrise.

Now you can see these paintings in person too in a brand new gallery that opened in Perthshire this month, including Pink Mist (right).

Brand New Art Gallery

This brand new gallery is called Alba Bella Gallery. You can find it on 38 Allan Street in Blairgowrie PH10 6AD and it’s the newest venue on the Scottish Art scene.

It spans spacious rooms with high ceilings over 2 floors in the town centre - opposite a small cafe well-worth a visit too.

I was delighted to be invited to join their first exhibition, Winter Walks, from January to early March 2024.

Artist Clodagh Norton (pictured left) connected with my work at The Bield Gallery during Open Studios last year.

She’s a mixed media artist and you can see her taking delivery of some of the paintings from my Winter Sunrise collection.

Winter Walks Exhibition

Alba Bella Art Gallery
38 Allan Street
Blairgowrie
Perthshire
PH10 6AD

tel: 07850-460-103

Open Tue-Sat 10.30am to 4pm