Ellon & District Art Group

After a busy Spring term which concluded with a very popular watercolour workshop, we took a break over Easter, enjoying the glorious weather and getting inspired for more artwork. We have a life drawing session and demonstrations from some of our members lined up for this term in addition to our individual projects.

MAY CALENDAR PAINTING: FIVE SISTERS OF KINTAIL

I moved to Aberdeenshire a few years after I retired. Prior to that I worked and lived in the Dingwall area of Highland. From there, it was easy to take day trips or longer, to the beautiful west coast of Scotland. On one of these excursions, I got the inspiration to do an oil painting of the five sisters of Kintail. I hope you like it

I was walking in the woods one sunny April morning, when I came across these beautiful bluebells under a row of beech trees. I went home and painted them straight away before they faded. from my memory.

Under the instruction of artist and tutor, Katherine Cowie, many members of the group recently enjoyed a mixed media workshop.

The session was deemed a great success and we are planning more workshops in the coming weeks.

My seascapes are influenced by an artist who I have done a couple of workshops with. I normally use what’s in my imagination rather than follow a photo; for some reason, I find this easier. This is an acrylic painting using anything at hand for applying the paint rather than using a brush.

Glengirnock, on the edge of the Cairngorms, is a quiet, unfrequented place, in contrast to it’s often overcrowded neighbour, Glenmuick. The little used track wends its way close to the burn up to the top of the glen, passing several disused cottages and the now abandoned Bovalgi farmhouse. Here, it opens out to reveal wonderful panoramic views. My painting, in acrylic, looks south towards Lochnagar. I enjoyed trying to create a feeling of tranquility and the impression of distant, snow clad hills.

This year, for the first time, we have produced a calendar, each month featuring a painting by one of our members.

January

The artist says the painting, in acrylic, is of Selva Gardena in the Italian Dolomites. There was still snow there in early June. It is one of her favourite areas where she spent many happy years climbing and skiing with her husband and daughter. It is a majestic landscape with beautiful mountain villages and, although part of Italy, the inhabitants are multi lingual, speaking German, Ladin and Italian. The Italians in this area were imported from southern Italy after the Second World war

2024 sessions finished with a delicious festive Christmas lunch at the Buchan hotel. With several new members to get to know, it was an excellent opportunity for socialising. The 2025 sessions begin on Thursday 9th January, when, weather permitting, we’ll be meeting as usual in the Kirk Centre at 10.30, when we look forward to welcoming any new members

After fears that autumn storms might, once again, ruin the exhibition, we were delighted that everything came together and we were able to show off our work at the Pheasantry. The rapidly deteriorating weather did necessitate an earlier than planned closing, but the number of visitors attending on the first two days ensured a reward for all the effort. A big thank you to all involved, especially those who rallied to dismantle everything, proving we’re not just a bunch of artists! Thanks also, to our most recent members, who produced some lovely work at a moments notice, even to the point, in one case of unpacking their house move to find it!