27th August - 17th September 2005 PRIVATE VIEW Friday 26th August 6 - 8pm   Hamish MacDonald brings the landscape into the home. From his favourite coasts and pastoral scenes of western Scotland to the Cornish shore, MacDonald’s expressive eye captures some of the natural beauty of Britain. It is one which we recognise. We sense the days and indeed seasons unfolding with the contentment of cattle on a seashore or sheep out to graze, and always a long vista. It may be a brooding sky with portents of rain or the cheerful appeal of sunlight. His art bursts with colour. It may be a rich red field or the intense blue of the sea, but it never lacks strength and vitality. Even in shades of white for a storm wave, it commands attention – awe and might in brushstroke. Occasionally MacDonald leaves nature outdoors to portray her indoors. Even his choice of subject matter gives an excuse for bold colour. The Mexican poinsettia is the house plant selected, perhaps for the scarlet red hue of its leaves. Few would have the imagination to create a still life from a vase of wild flowers, a bowl of vibrant yellow lemons, a teapot and a visiting pigeon, clustered together on a tabletop – all shown against an intense blue background. The manner in which MacDonald depicts such apparently simple subjects shows the skill of a worthy successor of the still life genre. Yet it is only part of his impressively wide oeuvre. As one would expect for a painter at harmony with the coastline, boats also feature in his work. They are shown still, at peace, not yet working or giving pleasure. Man is not in evidence. Yet the coils, rope and other tackle are all in place awaiting use. The vessels momentarily sleep and the eye is drawn into a peaceful harmony again of sea and silence. Hamish MacDonald has undertaken over sixty paintings for this exhibition. Not only does the visual journey reveal some of the most evocative shorelines of Britain with the Scottish west coast – from Gareloch to Skye and Wester Ross – and the north Cornwall of St Ives, but continues across to Italy and the lively Moroccan city of Marrakesh. The rich colours, often contrasting, and flickering brushstrokes have become MacDonald’s style. It may be a black wooded hillside which provides the backdrop, an opalescent storm wave or the marvellously contrasting sweep of intense gold, roasting red or vibrant greens of grass. Brushstrokes bring animals to life. They may be cattle by a loch on their daily exercise or sheep clustering together below Black Cuillins. For almost forty years since he left the Glasgow School of Art, his still life work has followed in the footsteps of the Scottish Colourists whose output in the early 1900s is now properly recognised. The balance of colour and form depicted by Samuel John Peploe and by the unsung hero of the Colourists, George Leslie Hunter, is evident in his work. This rich diversity of talent has been recognised by many single artist exhibitions which demonstrate his flair and style. His approach has also led to participation in key mixed shows. From private to corporate and royal, collectors now proudly display their Hamish MacDonald work. May we have pleasure of his palette for many decades to come. Conal Gregory, August 2005 Conal Gregory contributes to The Times, The Scotsman and Yorkshire Post

The work below features in our exhibition Just click on an image for a closer view. We're open monday-saturday, 10:30-5:30. Please pay us a visit.