Author: Alan Rae

 

Two artists drawn to the same landscape and coastline of East Lothian but who respond to it in two completely different ways.

Fidra Fine Art has worked with Matthew and Andy since 2016 both have appeared in numerous small group exhibitions so both are very well known to visitors to the gallery. This is the first time we have focussed on both their work together in an exhibition to contemplate the similarities and differences to their approach and completed work.

Both artists employ a very expressive, physical technique in the application of their chosen medium, but they attempt to describe very different personal experiences with the landscape.

Andy Heald very much places himself in the landscape and tries to channel how he feels and what he is thinking at the time. Working often plein air, Andy works quickly and frenetically to try to capture his thoughts and mood in response to the rolling hills, the abundance and variety of colour, the constant and ever-changing sound and motion of the waves and the biting East coast gales in the winter. All these natural experiences are channelled and then abstracted into artworks that reflect Andy’s experience of the East Lothian landscapes.

Matthew Draper works from sketches and note taking, directly from the landscape. Watching, creating and collecting images of the weather, light and atmosphere… fleeting moments in time captured from the ever-changing Scottish landscape. Bass Rock features often in his work but it is not really the subject… the light and drama of the Scottish weather is the principal player.

Like Andy, Matthew’s approach to his work is physical and expressive but the end results are visually representational rather than subjectively abstracted. His chosen medium is pastel which he uses to sketch-in the basic composition and then uses his hands and forearms to blend the subtle pastel colour fields together ultimately resulting in the remarkable depth and drama of his light filled land and seascapes.

“A Moment in Time” compares the work of two artists approaching a favourite subject but who gain inspiration and achieve final results in very different ways. Both remarkable in their own way and, something I feel, is the wonder of the art world… the infinite creative possibilities.

We have been very fortunate to work with the incredibly talented people at Urbancroft Films in producing two short films to support the exhibition. Both are included in this introduction, one above and the other below…

They were shot on a glorious summer day at Traprain Law in East Lothian and as well as showcasing the lovely landscape of East Lothian, give some insight into the working processes of both artists. If you would like to learn more about their work please feel free to come along to the exhibition opening on Saturday 6 September at 11am with a chance to meet the artists between 2 & 5pm.

28 June to 31 August

Opening on Saturday 28 June at 11am with refreshments and meet the artists from 2-5pm.

A colourful and vibrant collection of work for the Summer Exhibition from 10 outstanding artists.

Featuring: Shona Barr, George Birrell, Jemma K Derbyshire, Nael Hanna, John Kingsley, Alan Macdonald, John McClenaghen, Saul Robertson, Jayne Stokes & Astrid Trügg with ceramics from Sarah Lawson, Arran Ross and Ronnie Fulton.

Amongst the familiar names in the exhibition we are delighted to welcome three new artists to the gallery; Shona Barr, Jemma K Derbyshire and Nael Hanna.

Shona Barr, a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, focusses on the natural world for inspiration. Coastal landscapes and the abundance of natural colours found in her garden are valuable sources of inspiration for her work.

Jemma Derbyshire studied at Edinburgh College of Art and is currently co-founder and tutor at Paintbox School of Art in Cockenzie. Similar to Shona, Jemma’s work is perfect for the Summer… exuberant, floral work bursting with radiant colour.

Nael Hanna was born in Northern Iraq and studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee. Nael’s work is incredibly expressive whether it be the wild seas off the Angus coastline close to where he lives or the vibrancy found in his joyous, floral still lifes.

Another great collection of work by some of the most popular artists working in Scotland today. Hope you can make it along.

 

Our much anticipated 5^th solo exhibition with Dominique Cameron opens on Saturday 17 May.

“This body of work is, on the surface, concerned with landscape. At the outset this was true, and still is, yet is has become something other too.

The title is clear, in that the two places on which I have turned my gaze are, as the name suggests water and land – Rannoch Moor and Methil docks. Both the bog and the long wooden piers could be said to be neither fully land or water, they inhabit both. And yet alongside both landscapes also exist expressions of uncertainty and vulnerability, questioning how one might navigate these landscapes.

The works can be viewed as a set for a cast of actors, to contemplate the moves they might make across these spaces.

By paring back the image to, in some sense, an ‘essential-ness’ what remains is a crossing back and forth between a person and the landscape, a rhythm of movement and thought, a metaphorical place, a landscape of something other.” Dominique Cameron 

Opening 11am Saturday 17 May with refreshments and meet the artist from 2-5pm.

RGI – Work on Paper

An exhibition of work on paper by elected members of the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts.

5 April to 11 May 2025

Ade Adesina, June Carey, Jimmy Cosgrove, Helen Flockhart, Ronald Forbes, John Inglis, Jennifer Irvine, Shona Kinloch, Elspeth Lamb, Simon Laurie, Rosalind Lawless, Neil Macdonald, Will Maclean, Charles MacQueen, Angus McEwan, Alice McMurrough, Robert Murray, Hazel Nagl, Heather Nevay, Jacqueline Orr, Glen Scouller, Ronald F Smith, James Tweedie, Helen Wilson & Christine Woodside.

“Next year 2026, is the 130th Anniversary of the RGI achieving its Royal status. Being a Scottish exhibiting society with members residing across Scotland, we are celebrating with old friends at galleries forth of Glasgow; an anniversary to focus new energies and a renaissance to help revivify the Cultural Quarter of Glasgow. To build on a new injection of life at the arrival of Paisley Art Institute in the city’s Glasgow Art Club, providing a unique cluster of ‘heirloom’ artist societies beneath the ruin of Mackintosh’s art school.” Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts

“Made in East Lothian”.

A celebration of the work of artists either based in East Lothian or whose work features elements of the East Lothian landscape.

Featuring: Julie Barnes, Claire Beattie, John Boak, Georgina Bown, George Birrell, Alan Connell, Ann Cowan, Fee Dickson Reid, Matthew Draper, Ronnie Fulton, Andy Heald, Kate Henderson, Ged Lerpiniere, Sam MacDonald, Rachel Marshall, Linda MacKinnon, Line Mortensen, Pascale Rentsch, Sue Shields, Jayne Stokes, Astrid Trügg, Elizabeth Vischer, Christopher Wood, Darren Woodhead & Julia Zeller-Jacques.

Also including work by John Bellany, John Campbell Mitchell, Patrick William Adam, James Elder Christie, Sir William Gillies & Alexander Garden Sinclair.

East Lothian with its scenic towns, countryside and coastline has a long history of attracting and inspiring artistic talent. Tate Britain’s collection of work by the great J.M.W. Turner, who was recently generating huge queues at the RSA building in Edinburgh, includes and number of sketches of the castles of East Lothian as well as Bass Rock.

East Linton drew so many reputable artists in the early part of the last century that it was said of the banks of the Tyne that, “…one had to stroll with caution for fear of tripping over easels or painting kits.” Artists working around East Linton at that time included Robert Noble, John Pettie and Arthur Melville.

The Scottish Colourists FCB Cadell & SJ Peploe were frequent visitors to the coastline as was Sir John Lavery who painted a well known series of views over the West Links at North Berwick. The Glasgow Boys, James Guthrie and EA Walton were drawn to Cockburnspath, the well known interiors artist Patrick William Adam was based in North Berwick, Sir William Gillies and John Bellany…the list goes on. 

Today the county is blessed with a vibrant arts scene. Numerous courses are available throughout the county; Paint Box, based at Cockenzie House, runs a number of excellent courses as do Dunbar Arts and Dukes of West Barns. Fringe by the Sea has gained a huge reputation and a big draw for visitors to North Berwick in the Summer. Numerous galleries and smaller dedicated arts groups are dotted throughout the county.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 15 February at 11am with refreshments and a chance to meet some of the artists from 2-5pm.

Hope to see you there.

 

Winter Exhibition

30 November to 26 January

For our winter exhibition we have an interesting and eclectic mix of work by artists working in a wide variety of styles, medium and price ranges.

Featuring: Carmen Ambrozevich, Kate Bogie, Alison Burt, Dominique Cameron, Ann Cowan, Carol Dewart, Ronnie Fulton, Alexandra Gardner, Komachi Goto, Andy Heald, Simon Laurie, Sarah Lawson, Neil Macdonald, Robert Mach, John McClenaghen, Alan McGowan, Shaun McLaren, Alice McMurrough, Ruth Nicol, Ann Oram, Robert Powell, Allan J Robertson, Arran Ross, Ali Scott, Naoko Shibuya & Rose Strang.

Opens on Saturday 30 November at 11am with refreshments and meet the artists from 2-5pm.

Please note for the duration of our Winter Exhibition we will revert to winter opening hours – open Wednesday to Saturday 11-4, Sunday 12-5pm and closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Work on Paper

Featuring work by; Georgina Bown, Alfons Bytautas, Stephanie Dees, Ailsa Magnus, Patrick Mitchell, Charlene Scott, Sue Shields, Matthew Storstein, Alasdair Wallace & Graeme Wilcox.

12 October to 24 November

Opening at 11am Saturday 12 October with refreshments and meet the artists from 2-5pm.

Work on Paper pulls together 10 artists whose work encompasses a range of media including printmaking, drawing, painting and sculpture…all on, or in the case of the sculpture, of, paper.

There are a variety of interesting printmaking techniques represented by several of the artists.

Georgina Bown has produced a beautiful series of unique monotypes focusing on the rhythmic movement of Stingrays. The process involved in monotype printmaking encourages interesting textures through the varying pressure applied to the paper onto the inked surface.

Sue Shields is a mixed media landscape artist who also employs monotype techniques in her work. Three of the pieces in this exhibition are monotype landscapes and two are charcoal and wash drawings. Sue is drawn to the historical narratives of the locations she visits and this feeds into her landscapes.

The Monotype theme continues in Matthew Storstein’s work. Matthew says that from the outset he doesn’t have a preconceived idea of what his paintings will be. Images and narratives evolve as the textures and abstract forms take shape.

The creativity that can emerge from a more playful process is also evident in Alfons Bytautas’ work. Mesmeric, labyrinthine compositions which allow the viewer to come to their own interpretive conclusions.

Alasdair Wallace’s etchings and paintings are more representational with interesting narratives laced with a wry, observational humour. Thoughtful, beautifully painted work…it’s great to have his work in this exhibition.

Delighted to welcome back, last month’s winner of the Sutherland Independent Scottish Portrait Awards in Fine Art 2024, Graeme Wilcox, who has provided a number of typically atmospheric figure studies. Graeme’s work is always well constructed with thoughtful composition and narrative and, I think, the atmosphere is somehow heightened with his monochromatic ink and charcoal pieces.

Atmosphere is also important in the work of Stephanie Dees as she captures the effects that the changing seasons have on the architecture of the old and new towns of Edinburgh.

A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art in 2023, Charlene Scott principally works on paper and explores, using a variety of colours produced from botanical pigments and the repetition of line, diagonal folds and pattern, a feeling of tranquillity and connection to place.

Another recent graduate, this time from Duncan of Jordanstone in Dundee, Patrick Mitchell focuses on things he sees and experiences everyday, repeatedly drawing or painting the subjects in relation to his own personal perception or mental states.

Tasked with clearing her mother’s house, a house filled with 55 years of memories and family papers, bank statements and such like, Ailsa Magnus, two years on, has shredded much of the paperwork and transformed it into beautiful papier mâché forms…creative recycling.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 12 October at 11am with drinks and meet the artists in the afternoon from 2-5pm and will continue until Sunday 24 November. Hope you can make it into the gallery to see it.

George Birrell, John Brown, Matthew Draper, Jacqueline Orr and Astrid Trügg

31 August to 6 October

Our next exhibition pulls together work from five artists whose work is both bold in style and instantly recognisable. No strangers to previous exhibitions at the gallery, all five are among the most highly regarded and popular artists working in Scotland today. It is a real treat to be able to show a good range of their new work in the same exhibition.

George Birrell’s colourful reimagining of the sights and sounds of the harbours and castles found along the East Coast of Scotland are well loved and widely collected.  It is always great to see a new collection of George’s work in the gallery.

We move from George’s harbours and castles of the East Neuk to the souks and kasbahs of Morocco and the colourful, coastal villages of Gambia with the latest work of John Brown. John’s work lingers along the borders of abstraction and the representational but the combination of composition, searingly vibrant colours and texture, transports the viewer to these colourful and animated communities.

Matthew Draper brings us back to the East coast of Scotland with a series of new studies of his favourite muse, Bass Rock. The Rock and the ever-changing light that plays out on it, has captivated artists for centuries. Using pastel or charcoal Matt’s studies of Bass Rock are acutely observed and depending on the weather, can portray the rock dramatically spotlit with ethereal light breaking through a crack in the clouds or as the haar shrouded muse emerging on a summer’s morning.

It has been a few years since we had a selection of Jacqueline Orr’s work in the gallery so it is great to welcome her back. I am a big fan of her painting. Economic with her brushstrokes but big, bold and confident, bursting with colour. The study of light and colour dominates her painting practice and the subjects chosen, whether French, Spanish or Scottish imagery are simply vehicles which allow her to.

Astrid Trügg is another regular exhibitor with the gallery however, it is great to have her exhibiting a good selection of paintings in a small group show to really demonstrate the quality of her work. Like the others in the exhibition, Astrid has a uniquely identifiable style. Drawn to interesting everyday objects, Astrid has most recently concentrated on still life subjects. Her use of gesso and glue mixed with pure mill-ground pigments, such as lapis lazuli, creates a textured surface with incredibly vibrant colours into which she adds interesting antique newspaper cuttings which adds to the texture and narrative.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 31 August at 11am but we will have refreshments available and the chance to meet some of the artists from 2 until 5pm.

Hope to see you there.

This year’s Summer Exhibition kicks off on 15 June and continues until 25 August.

Our Summer Exhibition features a variety of new work from established gallery artists as well as pieces from a few new faces.

This year we have work from: Rosy Barnes, Kate Bentley, George Birrell, Georgina Bown, Davy Brown, Alan Connell, Ian Cook, Ann Cowan, Stephanie Dees, Fee Dickson Reid, Aine Divine, Matthew Draper, Michael Durning, Ronnie Fulton, Neal Greig, Andy Heald, Sarah Lawson, Steven Lindsay, Sam MacDonald, Liz Maclarty Jones (Winner of Dunbar Arts Landscape Artist of the Year 2023), Ged Lerpiniere, Ian Neill, Paul Reid, David Schofield, Ali Scott, Jayne Stokes & Christopher Wood.

We will open at 11am on Saturday 15 June but will have refreshments and a chance to meet some of the artists from 2-5pm…hopefully the sun will be shining!