Featured Artists/Makers and Venues
Over the next few months many of the participating artists/makers and venues in the 2011 Art and Crafts Trail will be featured in this section. This is an opportunity to learn a little more about the person and to see more of their work as well as a bit of background on the various venues.
The featured artists are Vivien Dania, George Lawson, Susan Metcalfe, Pauline Saul and Kie Stewart..
The venues featured are Broughton House and 9 Woodlands Avenue.
Important : Please note that all images on this website are subject to copyright control and may not be reproduced without permission.
Vivien Dania
based in Kirkcudbright.
Born and brought up in Lancashire and moved to Kirkcudbright in the winter of 1996. I do not claim to be an artist but when Pauline talked about starting the Art & Crafts Trail and asked if I would help I said 'yes' and the rest, as they say, is history.
I grew up watching my mum knit but she didn't have much patience when it came to passing on her skills. Even my junior school teacher said if she had a £1 for every stitch that I dropped she would be a rich woman. Nevertheless I learnt to knit and over the years knitted for the family, had breaks from knitting and returned to it.
The Knitting Room idea for the 'Trail' came about through a conversation when I was told how a group of ladies of varying ages were given needles and wool but no one knew how to cast on and knit.
Below is a selection of items made by Vivien and Pauline
Growing up I had spent hours doing 'French Knitting', first hammering four nails into a wooden cotton reel and making length upon length of knitted cord to make numerous mats. It's a fun way to start knitting and the Knitting Room will have Knitting Dolls, Medieval Knitting, needles and wool so that everyone can have a go and start knitting.
There is also a chance to make Peg Dolls and see the washing line art.
New for this year is a newspaper dress.
Vivien will be at Venue 31 (31 St Mary's Place).
George Lawson
based in Kirkcudbright
My name is George Lawson. I am a self taught artist, originally from the North East of England, specialising in woodland and water landscapes in watercolour and pen & wash. I worked in Kirkcudbright in Dumfries & Galloway and subsequently retired there. I have always been interested in art and have a particular interest in watercolour painting.
I have had no formal art training but over the years I have developed a style of my own and specialise in detailed landscapes, featuring water and woodland scenes. I take much of my inspiration from the Dumfries & Galloway landscape in and around Kirkcudbright.
Commissions are taken by request.
Please email me at: enquiries@geolandscapes
to arrange and discuss your requirements and obtain a quotation.
Pauline Saul - Artist/Maker
based at Greengate Studio in Kirkcudbright's historic High St.
I am an artist from Kirkcudbright, lucky enough to live and work in the former home of Jessie M King, one of the 'Glasgow Girls' and her husband, fellow artist E A Taylor. My studio, at the top of the house, looks over Greengate Close, the setting for 'Five Red Herrings' by Dorothy L Sayers, towards the River Dee to the Galloway Hills.
Before moving to Kirkcudbright I taught art in a large junior school - my change of life style has allowed me to pursue art for myself.
I have taken part in Spring Fling and had successful exhibitions in the Tolbooth Art Centre, Fleet Gallery, The Cat's Moustache and Kirkcudbright's Harbour Cottage Gallery.
I sell brooches and cards through various outlets in Dumfries & Galloway and London.
My mixed media fish are painted on hand made paper and have 'attitude'! My acrylic comical cat paintings are sent worldwide, including U.S.A., Canada, Australia, France and Germany- commissions can be undertaken from your own photographs.
Kirkcudbright is the 'Artists' Town' and I feel honoured to be able to help carry the tradition both in my painting and by being the co-founder of the Kirkcudbright Art & Crafts Trail, now in its 8th successful year, attracting over 3.00 visitors to the town each year.
t: 01557 330895 email: kbtpainter@aol.com www.paulinesaul.co.uk
Kie Stewart - based in Kirkcudbright.
Born in Galloway, and now based in Kirkcudbright after many years in London, my interest in painting started at school under the inspired tuition of the late Jack Maltman. Its quite amazing how many of Jack's former pupils have continued their interest in art, including my friend Gabrielle Harrington, whose painting 'Kirkcudbright Jazz' features on the brochure cover.
I have a particular interest in the local icons (Belted Galloway Cattle) and views of the staggering beautiful area we live in. Its a sad fact that we never really appreciate where we come from until we have moved away for a while.
I also enjoy experimenting with acrylics and have produced a number of more 'way out' subjects as well as more traditional images of flowers, butterflies and exotic animals.
Since moving to Kirkcudbright I have become involved in a number of local groups, including the Kirkcudbright Art & Crafts (formerly Kirkcudbright Crafts Association) and served as both Chairman and Secretary for a number of years. I am currently also involved with the Harbour Cottage Gallery in my role as Secretary of the Hanging Committee (what a wonderful job title !).
I am now fortunate to have my own small private gallery which is normally only open by appointment but will be open during the four days of the 'Trail'.
Above is a selection of my paintings but please check out my website www.kiestewart.co.uk
I can be contacted as follows t:01557 339121 or email kie@kirkcudbright.com
Venue 33 - 9 Woodlands Avenue Tearoom
In the Tearoom this year you will have the choice of tea/coffee/ homemade pink elder cordial and delicious cakes served by Ann's team of friendly helpers. Whilst enjoying this gaze at the paintings by Elizabeth Railton and the late Dr Ian McGibbon. afterwards take the opportunity to purchase cheeses from the Loch Arthur Community, Jams & Chutneys by Alison Murray and homemade cakes and quiches by Ann Stewart.
Just outside the tearoom Dianne McLellan's cross stitch will be exhibited alongside the carved wooden bowls and cheese platters of Peter Campbell. From time to time throughout the weekend Ruth Sandiford will serenade you live with her Scottish Harp music.
Venue 34 - 9 Woodlands Avenue Gallery
In the gallery there will be paintings and crafts by Kie Stewart, Gabrielle Harrington and Lesley Purdy - Lesley will also be demon
Alan Ross will be showing his delightful and sometimes quirky hand made wooden toys (a treat for children and the young at heart).
Venue 35 - 9 Woodlands Avenue Garden & Cabin
Weather permitting the garden should be ablaze with colour for you to enjoy and down in the bottom corner George Lawson will, once again, be happy to discuss his paintings and prints with you in the Garden Cabin.
Dotted around the garden you will see the chainsaw sculptures of Michael Hodgson and don't forget to buy a plant from the plant gazebo (courtesy of Mark Glover from the Old Hen Garden Centre).
We are within walking distance of the centre of town but are also on the 'Trail Bus Route' as well as the local 'Town Bus' and look forward to meeting you during the 2011 'Trail'.
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Susan Metcalfe - Artist
based at Ringford
I live in an area of Galloway which is both historical and very beautiful,equal distance from Kirkcudbright Artists Town and Castle Douglas Food Town. Painting along with horses, has been my passion since childhood. I am a versatile artist, painting with awareness for my subject, to capture not only what I can see, but what I feel about it also. I am greatly inspired by the countryside, nature, shores and gardens of the area that I live in.
I have no favourite medium, preferring to allow the subject and feeling of place dictate what I use to convey the emotion I feel. Often, my landscape paintings begin with a sketch or watercolour done outdoors and then completed in the studio,where I can experiment with different media, to try and capture that special something in my work.
My floral paintings are usually created with watercolour, I love the fluid qualities of this medium, and get excited when colours run,dribble and merge together then explode unexpectedly, and the feeling of not being in total control however much you think that you are!
Although I am largely a self taught artist, between 2008 - 2010 as a mature student, I attended Dumfries &Galloway College and gained an HND in Art and Design.
I am involved with local Art Groups Threave Artists and Galloway Art club, and exhibit regularly at The Harbour Cottage Gallery in Kirkcudbright.
The paintings shown are 3 Poppies on the right and Mecanopsis 2 & Which one's mine below.
My studio is open during the summer by appointment.
www.susanmetcalfeart.co.uk t: 01557 820204 e: Click here to contact by email
Broughton House and Garden, High St. Kirkcudbright
former home of the E.A. Hornel (one of the 'Glasgow Boys').
The pink limed 18th century town house situated in Kirkcudbright's historic High Street was the former home of the artist and collector E. A Hornel, one of the famous 'Glasgow Boys', from 1901. As well as an unenviable collection of Hornel paintings the house contains a host of treasures including ceramics, furniture and local literature collected over the years by Hornel and added to by the National Trust for Scotland who now run the property for the nation. Hidden behind the property is the fascinating 'japanese influenced' garden designed by Hornel himself and a haven for unusual plants and wildlilfe in the centre of town.
Broughton House is an Art & Crafts Trail venue and will play host to a number of the artists and makers.
Janet Cross
My art represents my freedom in life. While painting, I am in my own inner world. I have an eclectic response to the world around me, which is reflected in my choice of almost any subject which captures my interest, I then choose the medium - watercolour, acrylic, oil - which I think will best portray the subject.
These are a few of my favourite things Town and Country Master of the House
I realised at a young age that I had a need to create and express myself artisically. I also have a love of nature, despite being brought up in post war London which was largely a bomb site.
Having had a successful career as as teacher, I rediscovered my love of art when I retired, and have followed my heart ever since. This means that my work is eclectic -I have a variety of styles and use many different mediums. The unifying theme is that of vibrant colours, which express my emotional response to the subject.
<---- Purple Beauty
Shadows and reflections in Kirkcudbright Harbour
My website is www.crossoriginals.co.uk and is so named because everything I produce is an original, not a print ,even my cards.