Tag: SSA

We Won an Award

Artists, Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou and Gill Walton have collaborated to create ‘Sotto Voce,’ a large-scale, multimedia artwork incorporating vintage star cluster images and ancient dog roses. Printed on quality rag paper and overlaid with drawing, pigments and gold and silver, it recently won the Past Presidents Prize at the Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition. The artists intend to produce more pieces, with an exhibition planned for 2024/25. The artwork is available for sale until January 2024.

Recently, I have been collaborating with my long time friend and colleague, Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou, to create a couple of large scale, complex, beautiful pieces. They are a combination of my drawing and Rebekah’s skills with mixed media composing. She included (amongst other things) vintage glass plate negatives of star clusters taken through a telescope in the 1800s and dog wood flowers that died more than 200 years ago. The resulting image was printed onto highest quality archival rag paper, we then both worked over the top of the image with drawings and pigments and gold and silver leaf.

We are very proud of this work, we feel she is magnificent in all the details, from the stars to the tiniest flower. Our goddess is quiet but oh, so powerful, hence the title ‘Sotto Voce’

To our delight ‘Sotto Voce II’ was chosen to be exhibited in this year’s Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition at the MacLaurin Galleries in Ayr this year and to further that delight, she won an award!

The Prize was awarded by Kate Downie PPSSA RSA, she stated that she was moved by the way our piece held her presence. “it is a very detailed piece but she holds sway over the room and has a quiet power.” Just what we thought Kate!

Rebekah and I have set the intention to produce much more work together next year with a view to holding an exhibition of the series in 2024/25.

The piece is currently available for sale from the MacLaurin Gallery until January 2024

I also have two pieces in the 30×30 online exhibition which runs alongside the annual exhibition.

  • The Alchemist’s Pot- 2023- Graphite, beeswax and bronze- 30cm x 30cm, £320
  • Vessel Hand Eye_2023_GraphiteBeeswaxBronze_26cmx30cm, £320

In other news

Two of my Alchemy series are currently in the Winter Exhibition at the Graystone Gallery in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. This is a new gallery in a very beautiful space and a great location. The exhibition runs until the 25th January and includes many wonderful Scottish artists. Pay a visit if you can.

Keep in touch because I will be busy next year. I am back at Borders Art Fair in March and Inception in May with a new series of work based on Reliquaries.

The art of summer

Hello everyone, the annual flurry of art fairs (Borders, Dalkeith, Glasgow) is over for me, summer is in full flow and the garden has burst into life at our new house in Juniper Green, Edinburgh. My next Art Fair will be in Aberdeen on 1st, 2nd and 3rd of September so I have a bit of time in the studio to concentrate on my latest series.

The Alchemess_2023_GraphiteBeeswaxCopper_65cmx100cm, £1,650.

Alchemy Series

My Alchemy works have a new Gallery here , where all the pieces have been collected together for you to view in one place.

The inspiration for the series evolved from using materials during the recent pandemic that had healing properties: The Breath Series. I loved that I was mixing elemental and meaningful ingredients to make work that was more than the sum of its parts, like turning lead into gold!

My research into the alchemists has been very interesting, for example, the earliest mention of alchemy was ancient Greece in the first century (two thousand years ago!) and the text was about a woman alchemist called ‘Mary The Jewess’, a healer. Early alchemists were not only interested in creating gold but were trying to create “The Philosopher’s Stone” which they believed would enable them to communicate with angels.

It also turns out that the guilds for artist’s were also the guilds for chemist’s. Both used similar equipment and materials, the artists to create pigments and paints and the (al)chemists creating their potions.

There are also the links with witchcraft and healing and the wealth of symbols that are found in alchemy with many esoteric meanings throughout multiple cultures. It is a rich seam of inspiration.

I also wanted to remind you about my Available Work. This ranges from oil paintings to mixed-media drawings, most of which are framed and ready to hang.

Bronze Boy_2022_GraphiteBeeswaxBronze_30cmx30cm, £825.

In addition, many limited-edition prints can be viewed and purchased from the Prints page.

REVEAL (aka Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair)

Events come thick and fast at this time of year: Borders Art Fair in Kelso; Inception in Dalkeith; and now REVEAL in Glasgow.

JOIN ME AT REVEAL|| Along with having a new name, Glasgow CAF will be moving from Kelvingrove Art Gallery to its new home at the SEC, Scotland’s foremost events venue. The exhibition takes place from 19-21 May 2023.

Similar to the Borders Art Fair in March, I’ll be sharing an exhibition stand with my friend and fellow artist, Rebekah Tolley-Giorgiou. We will show one collaborative piece as well as our individual works.

My recent works explore the alchemy of materials transforming base elements such as graphite, beeswax and metals into something precious with a hint of magic.  I began using silver and beeswax during the pandemic because of their healing properties and discovered that this unusual mix of media gives the work a sculpted and solid feel; the flesh becomes more fleshy.  

This drawing process, one which is unique to me, uses symbolic imagery from the early alchemists (Isaac Holland’s ‘Philosopher’s Hand’) and mixes in a touch of humanity, a dash of emotion and combines it with waxes and metals and graphite to create something more precious than the sum of it’s parts. 

Tickets are now available for the exhibition. Full details can be found on the REVEAL website. The times are as follows:

  • Friday 19th, 6pm- 9pm, Preview Evening (you need to register in advance as a guest for this, see image below for details)
  • Saturday 20th, 10am-5pm, open for the public.
  • Sunday 21st, 10am-5pm, open for the public.

You can follow Reveal’s social media posts on Twitter (@reveal_glasgow), Facebook (@revealglasgow) and Instagram (@reveal_glasgow) Please do follow their accounts and like and share their posts.

Studio SALE now on until November 25th 2022

Up to 50% off paintings and 30%, 40% or 50% off all prints

I am selling my house and studio, so thought it would be a good time to clear some space. With that in mind I would like to offer you the opportunity to purchase some of my work at a specially reduced price.

Up to 50% off paintings and 30%, 40% or 50% off all prints

I am selling my house and studio, so thought it would be a good time to clear some space. With that in mind I would like to offer you the opportunity to purchase some of my work at a specially reduced price.

Go to my Available Work page to see what paintings are on offer. For prints, go to my Prints page. All prints are discounted.

Buy one print and get 30% discount

Buy two prints for 40% discount

Buy three prints for 50% discount

Purchasing work always begins with an email to myself so I can make sure I still have the work available and I can deliver it to you. I then send out either an invoice for a BACS transfer or a Pay Pal invoice. I will apply the appropriate discount to the invoice.

Open Studio Weekend 5th to 8th August 2022

It is with great pleasure and anticipation (tinged with a hint of sadness) that I announce my final open studio weekend at The Artist’s House this August.

  • Friday 5th 11am – 6pm
  • Saturday 6th 11am – 6pm
  • Sunday 7th 11am – 6pm
  • Monday 8th 11am – 2pm

No need to book, everyone will be made welcome. Refreshments will be available for a small donation.

If you cannot make it or wish to pre-order work, please visit my Available Work page and get in touch. There is a range of limited-edition prints also available.

You will find me at The Artist’s House, Allanbank, Duns, Scottish Borders, TD11 3PY.

My house and studio is going on the market shortly and, as it is already clean and tidy, I have decided to open it up to the public one last time so you can help me wish the place a fond farewell.

There are other events over the same weekend within a short walk of my house.

Register on Eventbrite

Glasgow Art Fair Tickets and other lovely stuff

I will be exhibiting at Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair again after a three year gap.

VENUE, DATE & TIME

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

27th May 2022

  • 6.00pm-9.00pm Preview Evening.
  • Advance Tickets Only. I have a small number of complementary tickets available, you must RSVP before the 23rd May. These tickets are normally £9 and entry includes a free glass of Prosecco or soft drink on arrival.

28th Saturday May

  • 10.00am-5.30pm

29th Sunday May

  • 10.00am-5.00pm

You can find your free weekend E-ticket below otherwise, tickets available on the door.

  • Adults £4.00
  • Concessions and Students £3.00
  • Children Free

Invitation to the Private View

This should be a very lively and enjoyable event, remember to RSVP before 23rd of May and state my name. This link takes you straight to the GCAF email. Book your tickets HERE

Complimentary ticket

‘Breathing’ has been accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition

For the second time within a year I have a piece hung in the Royal Scottish Academy galleries in the heart of Edinburgh. Visit the exhibition HERE.

Breathing

Limited-edition prints

I have made ‘Breathing’ (see below) and a selection of my best drawings into a series of very high quality and limited edition prints. Some are hand-rendered with silver leaf and each one is numbered and signed. I can post out to anywhere in the UK.

hand silvered prints

Inception Art Show

I had a wonderful weekend at Dalkeith Country Palace last weekend. It was a collection of over thirty of the best contemporary British artists curated by the estate of the Duke of Bucchleuch. He himself bought one of my Breath Series drawings last year. Another of my pieces made it into the family this year, what an honour!

I love participating in the show and am hoping to be invited back in September.

Inception at Dalkeith Country Palace

Three Art Fairs and an Exhibition!

Last year was a very successful year for me, I was awarded a residency at Marchmont House, was selected for some very prestigious exhibitions and was appointed a professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists. I won’t be resting on my laurels this year, I already have three art fairs and a major art exhibition lined up and all before the end of May!

Last year was a very successful year for me, I was awarded a residency at Marchmont House, was selected for some very prestigious exhibitions and was appointed a professional member of the Society of Scottish Artists. I won’t be resting on my laurels this year, I already have three art fairs and a major art exhibition lined up and all before the end of May!

Borders Art Fair

It is so pleasing to be back at the Borders Art Fair. I don’t have to travel too far for it and always see many lovely familiar faces, I hope yours is one of them. I have also recorded a workshop and an artist’s talk for them. It is all on their website, have a look.

  • bordersartfair.com
  • Border Events Centre
  • Springwood Park, Kelso
  • Stand 62
  • 25th to 27th March 2022

The Heriot Gallery is a ‘must-see’ gallery next to Greyfriars Art Shop on Dundas Street in Edinburgh. It is painted Tardis Blue and just like the Tardis it is much bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. They will be taking some of my graphite and silver Breath Series on the long journey down to London. I hope they have a successful fair.

Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair

The Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair is in a beautiful white marquee situated in the grounds of the amazing Kelvingrove museum. I last did the GCAF in 2019 and almost sold out so I am really looking forward to this one and finding a few moments to wander around one of the best museum galleries in Scotland. It would make a wonderful day out .

  • gcaf.co.uk
  • Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
  • Glasgow
  • stand number to be confirmed
  • 27th to 29th May 2022

Inception II Art Exhibition

Following on from the success of the first Inception show The Palace team have invited a selection of the finest artists from the UK and beyond for an exhibition hung throughout the palace. I am so delighted that they want me back again this year, especially as the Duke of Buccleuch himself bought one of my Breath Series from the first exhibition (those of you who know me well know that I am so chuffed at being in his collection alongside Rembrandt and da Vinci etc.).

I hope to see some of you at any or all of these events, especially as I really won’t be getting out much beforehand, I will be starved of company and chained to my studio.

Look out for more details about each one in advance and make sure you are signed up to my newsletter.

Gill

Visit the 123rd SSA Annual Exhibition at the RSA, Edinburgh

I am just back from the opening of this exciting show. It is SSA’s main showcase of some of the most exceptional work coming out of Scotland and round the world.

My ‘Life’s Breath’ can be found in a fantastic space that really highlights the work at the top of the front stairs in the first hall.

More information can be found at the SSA website.

Exhibition Dates:
1 – 23 November 2021

Opening Times:
Monday to Saturday 10-5pm, Sunday 12-5pm (last entry 30 minutes prior to closing)

Venue:
Upper Galleries
The Royal Scottish Academy
The Mound
Edinburgh
EH2 2EL

£4 | £3 concessions (+booking fees)
Free Entry for SSA Members (limited tickets available per day, please book in advance)
Free entry for all on Mondays

30 x 30

Alongside the main exhibition is the ever-popular SSA 30 x 30 small works display, offering a fantastic varied selection of small works for sale at £350 or less. I have three pieces in this section this year:

  • Adeola, £350
  • Artemesia, £300
  • Sophonisba, £300

Road Trip

Road Trip is a collaborative artwork which has journeyed around Scotland connecting artists and communities during our year of Covid. I am one of the SSA Sattelite Associates for the Scottish Borders and, as such, began this project. The painting is being raffled to support the Sattelite Programme. More details can be found on the SSA website.