Two Months on Gigha

The Way to the Sea 

Oil 24x20"

Sun and Clouds, Gigha

Oil 28x24"

Island Studies

6x8"

This June I stayed with 3 other painters on the island of Gigha for 5 days.

It wasn't the best weather for painting outside but the island was full of accessible painting places and the colours were a delight of blues and pale greens. And wild flowers everywhere.

When we were there we were offered an exhibition in the Gigha Gallery in 2016 and since then we've learned that the exhibition can be for 2 months, August and September, the holiday months when the islands busy with tourists.
http://gighagallery.com/

Its very exciting and I've been sorting out works that may be suitable, mostly from sketches done during  our stay though I'm hoping to return in May to do more studies.

Now I need to store these away in the meantime.

A Month of Yellows

  

Woodland Study Culzean 2

10x12" Oil on board

Woodland Study Culzean 1

24x20"Oil

November Woods

Acrylic  8x6"

Everywhere I've walked this last few weeks it's been like walking through a land of yellow and because, until recently, the air has been relatively still the leaves have remained in all their glory.

I'm lucky to live a short drive away from Culzean Park where I regularly go, not only to walk, but also to work sometimes in the Charity Bookshop which raises funds for The National Trust. 

Its a treat to be there amongst a few thousand secondhand books and at the same time to enjoy the wonderful parklands.

An Ochre Study with Windfarm

Oil on Board 24x20"

The weather is just as you would expect in Scotland in January though the rain seems a bit wetter and the winds that bit stronger.

The worst part of this time of year, if you paint, is the shorter daytime light. By 4 o'clock it's already getting dark and I don't find daylight bulbs all that sucessful. In proper daylight the colours always seem too fierce hough I know many artists seem to like them.

Working away on the series of paintings with a predominantly ochre palette of the hills in this part of Scotland though I've started adding a bit of a windfarm or two

which can now be seen in the landscape. 

In a cream frame

North Ayrshire Art Exhibition

Road to the Loch

 Oil on Canvas  24x20"

I got word today that my two paintings entered into The North Ayrshire Art Exhibition had been accepted and that's always a good feeling.

It's been a few years since I tried for this exhibition as I never seem to have enough works for 

the shows that come along in groups, like buses, in the summer months.

But this year I've involved myself in less and so have more paintings ready.

The Garden Poppies

Oil on board  10x12"

The exhibition is held in The Raquet Hall at Eglinton Park

and starts Saturday 12th July 2014

Join us for the preview

Friday 11th July
7.30pm

Visit the exhibition

Saturday 12th - Saturday 26th July
10.00am - 4.00pm

The Raquet Hall
Eglinton Country Park
Kilwinning

Join us for the preview

Friday 11th July
7.30pm

Visit the exhibition

Saturday 12th - Saturday 26th July
10.00am - 4.00pm

The Raquet Hall
Eglinton Country Park
Kilwinning

Painting in the Algarve

A Villa Garden 

Sketch - charcoal, watercolour, oil pastel - 4x6"

I've just returned from a 5 day painting course with Emily Ball in Portugal.

I've lots of sketches and a couple of paintings and some photographs to 

try to recapture a sense of place to inspire future works.

The sketches were done using charcoal, watercolour, oil pastels and pencil and was a messy process

but babywipes came in handy for knocking back marks and cleaning up after.

Mostly my sketches were done near the villa amongst the palm trees and unfamiliar plant shapes.

I was also trying to capture the movement of the foliage due to it being rather breezy.

There were many great ideas generated during the time there but one that I 

hope I'll remember, and which affected my work was to

think of the marks I was making as adjectives and each one therefore had a distinct value.

www.emilyballatseawhite.co.uk/

Two for Open Studios Ayrshire

Oil on canvas   12x12"

Oil on board  12x10"

Bridget Hunter 2014

Painting to pull together some unfinished works that have lain under a bed waiting for inspiration but the truth is I've been really afraid to tackle them. 

It gets like that sometimes, I just don't know what to do next so I hide them and just hope  !

However the Open Studio event is getting closer and a few other exhibitions so I need to finish some of those .

Both show trees growing behind Burns Cottage garden which is very close to where I live.

There are some Scots Pines and its their shapes that I find fascinating.

I'd like to draw these pine trees in charcoal and look forward to having the time to go out when the weather is a bit warmer.

A Studio Sale

Spring Yellows  

Oil on Board  10x10" *

I recently held a 3 day Studio Sale with 2 friends, a painter and a leadglass maker.

Despite the awful weather we were delighted with the support we got from family, friends and passers-by who came to browse, drink coffee and blether and buy !

It's strange to see these photos of my house transformed into a gallery but it seems to work quite well.

Painting for Myself

Cyclamen in Miniature

Oil on Board 6x8"

Bridget Hunter 2013

I enjoy doing small studies and these cyclamen form a wonderful umbrella above the blue/green leaves.

The overall shape has proved fascinating to such an extent that I think I've now painted the plant 4 times, from different angles and on different shaped boards, though all quite small.

I'm now painting for me, myself and enjoying just looking and recording and using paint for it's qualities as "a visual language" to express an idea.

The painting "The Coastguard's Garden 1" is trying to show what it was like to be in a partly neglected garden behind a wall but where sea breezes were causing ripples of movement.

And I like adding the "1" in the title to show it's the first of a group of paintings, a series, which is another new way of working for me.

It's wonderful to feel free to paint what I want 

rather than be under pressure to produce.

The Coastguard's Garden 1

Oil on Board 20x20"

Bridget Hunter 2013

A Front Cover

I can't believe my painting's on the front cover of The MacLaurin Gallery magazine . It seems unreal, that it's someone else. It's because of a new venture, a wall featuring local artists.

             This, however, does feel real - three of my four granddaughters and their doting Grandma!

Harvest Golds at Greenan

Harvest Golds at Greenan

Oil on canvas  30 x 30 cm

Bridget Hunter 2013

A favourite sketching place near the ruins of Greenan Castle, Ayr.

It's been hectic trying to get all 6 paintings finished. And there's been lots of paint scraped off which is really such a waste of materials.

So, I'm trying to change the frantic way I paint and take time to stop and think and place more considered marks.

I think I might need to pin a notice above the easel as a reminder though. 

At the edge of Alloway

"At the edge of Alloway"

Oil on board 50 x 50 cm

Bridget Hunter 2013

Working on 6 paintings for a new venture at The McLaurin Gallery, Ayr featuring artists from the South West of Scotland. 

I think it's to be called The Showcase Wall but watch this space!

Anyway, no matter the name, I've to deliver on Tuesday 30th April which means 5 more to finish for next week. No pressure at all then !!!!

www.themaclaurin.org.uk/

Through the Gate

Oil on board   51 x 51 cm 

Bridget Hunter 2013

There's been more paint scraped off this one than put on in the fight to get it finished. I'm taking it up in my little car with a second work to submit for selection to The Paisley Art Institute for their annual exhibition. 

Needless to say there's painty rags and brushes needing washed everywhere as I try to get the other painting to a finished state.

This hobby is taking over my life but would be lost without it.

The Hills were Blue

"The Hills were Blue'

Oil 24x24"

I've been busy working away on 6 new paintings for The McLaurin Gallery Ayr for a new venture called a Showcase Wall featuring local artists.

It was very flattering to be asked to participate but

it's way too intense for a wee woman who just enjoys painting.

 Back to the easel!

The first ever Open Studios Ayrshire.

Part of the kitchen

Back of the living room

The hall

What a weekend - the first ever open Ayrshire Open Studios. I've a tiny house and over the 3 days  approx 100 people came for a 'look see' and much to my amazement bought and bought. I ran out of printed greetings cards the second day and couldn't make any more as the printer gave up the ghost 

The upstairs "studio" looking unusually tidy.

The visitors were wonderful to brave the bitterly cold weather to support all 36 artists involved in this new venture.

Because of the snowdrifts closing roads though a few artists living further inland only got a few intrepid visitors on the last day which was such a shame after their preparations. To think that last year at this time we were rubbing on sunscreen.

Watercolour cards I rushed to make because my printer stopped working!

This was the first but already we've a list of many more participants for next year so hopefully it will become a noteable event in the Ayrshire calendar.

Thankyou to the people who supported us.

And thankyou to some wonderful friends who came to help.

Ochre Fields

Ochre Fields 

Oil on Canvas  30x24"

Bridget Hunter  2013

Have you ever rashly said yes when you know you should be saying no? But the request is put so nicely and the people so appreciative and friendly that you go against your better judgement. That's how I ended up giving a painting demonstration to 40 artists at Troon Art Club. 

I'd put it to the back of my mind, out of fear really, until a few days before hand and then it was all panic wondering what on earth to paint.

I ended up using this small snow scene and turning it into harvest time, knowing the field well, walking there often, so relied on memory of how it looked in late summer.

This is how it ended up at the demo though I changed the foreground later.

Stop fouterin !

Oil on Canvas  24x24"

Bridget Hunter 2013

Is it finished ? 

I'd like to say yes, but I know me and the way I fouter because I simply enjoying markmaking.

The source material, the inspiration, is the diffused sunlight on a misty morning.

But now to think of a title!

Ayrshire Open Studios

My small hallway so far

I'm taking part in a new venture called OPEN STUDIOS AYRSHIRE on 22, 23 and 24 March.

This is our first go although Open Studios is now a very successful part of the UK art scene.

 For this first time we've 36 artist working in pottery, prints and painting and a brochure with a map is being popped into libraries, shops and anywhere else willing to take a bundle. This photo shows my small hallway so far, although I think I'd best get the black frame changed to a cream one. Also I need to get greeting cards, postcards and business cards printed so searching for reliable printing companies.

The idea is that visitors come to your studio and browse and maybe buy some art, though I have to say I have a very small house. and the trouble is we've no idea how well the event will be attended.

I thought if I served coffees, teas and maybe had some wine at the ready, as well as my friends wonderful home made scones, it might encourage a bit of rash spending!

And if very few come, well, my scone maker and I can always drink the wine ourselves.

Snowscape Number 2

Snowscape 2

Oil on board  12x10"

Bridget Hunter 2013

Another painting done after a venture across the fields where the snow lay. As I live right on the coast it often snows without lying so I have to go to find it and as much as I admire the plein air snow painters  I don't have their passionate spirit so walking, taking photos and just staring has to do me.

Snowscape 1

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