Since I retired from my job as a Primary School Head Teacher my skills and enthusiasm have improved considerably and I have been lucky enough to sell about a dozen of my works although I have never yet exhibited. I have also been given two commissions by people who have seen my work in my home.

Like many amateur artists I started painting with watercolours and still return to those for sheer pleasure. At a portrait painting workshop in the Art Gallery with Kelly Anne Cairns I discovered the joys of oil painting and for a while this became my preferred medium. I am now trying to develop a much looser style of working using mixed media and am enjoying being more expressive.

I enjoy experimenting in all media. I particularly like working in oil and acrylic, applying the paint with large brushes, pallette knives or whatever else comes to hand. I aim for a loose, semi-abstract result in landscape and still life.

I also enjoy working in pen and ink and try to balance the control of that medium with a free, painterly style.

I have worked in watercolours and oils but get most enjoyment out of working in acrylics and mixed media, where the use of collage can be used to create texture and form. I tend to use strong colours in my paintings, which can range from moody, moonlight blue studies to bright, almost fluorescent summer days. My present style of painting has gradually evolved from an early more precise, representational approach to my present less inhibited style.

As I try to create a personal, emotional response to what I see around me, my painting has evolved from the precision of small brush strokes and detail to a looser, more imaginative response using palette knives, larger brushes and, basically, anything that makes an interesting mark. I try to balance an imaginative response with a sense of place and a recognition of familiar images.

I exhibit regularly in the north-east, with paintings presently in the Milton Gallery at Crathes. I also take part in as many workshops and training opportunities as possible, always on the look out for new ideas and techniques.

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I’m largely self-taught and have been drawing and painting as long as I can remember.  I’m partial to acrylics, mixed media and most recently watercolour, and am told I have a particular eye for colour and texture.

Although never too far from my paints and easel, I graduated from the University of California Berkeley in 2002 with a psychology honours degree and am soon to begin postgraduate studies at the University of Aberdeen in psychology once more.  Science appeals to my desire to search for rigorous truths, while art gives me freedom to explore the beauties and more intangible aspects of life – I don’t think I could ever choose just one or the other, and each informs the other for me.

My art is inspired by anything that interests me – the science, mythology, history, travel, memories, the local scenery… but rich colour is always the common thread.

Portfolio site: http://www.gcseh.com

Blog: http://summoningmuse.wordpress.com

Etsy Shop: http://genevievecseh.etsy.com

Folksy Shop: http://www.folksy.com/shops/gcseh

RedBubble Shop: http://www.redbubble.com/people/gcsehart

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gcseh.art

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gcsehart

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At one time, I was predominantly interested in making portraits & surrounding them with pattern & decoration.  I would often make little drawings of film or rock stars for my friends as presents.  I now occasionally draw or paint portraits of people or pets – in my own style – if I am asked to.

Currently, I enjoy creating pictures that look like book illustrations, using pen & watercolour in the main.  Ballpoint pens are my ideal drawing tools because they create clean, slender lines.  I frequently return to symbols that mean something to me or are relevant to the pictures I am making, sometimes making patterns from those symbols.

My artwork is characterised by pattern, decorative but controlled lines & a very limited colour range.  I have always admired other artists who have mastered these elements.

I draw inspiration from the natural world, architecture, superstitions, stained glass, music, stories & the city of Aberdeen.

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I was born in Aberdeenshire, and studied art and design at Aberdeen College from 1991 to 1994. I have subsequently carved out a career as a graphic designer, retaining painting as an enjoyable sideline.

My work mixes elements of pop art and cubism, and I’d cite Stuart Davis, Patrick Caulfield, Piet Mondrian and the still life and genre paintings of the Dutch Golden Age as major influences.

I find the vibrancy of acrylics best suited to the bright, colourful statements I want the paintings to make, which are a mixture of abstract and loosely figurative work. On occasions I also work in pen and ink.

In previous years I have exhibited my work in shows both at John Lewis and the Belmont Cinema in Aberdeen. I also contributed to shows at the Marischal Gallery (Aberdeen) and Art in the Park (Banchory).

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Over the years I attended lots of classes, in particular at Grays School of Art.  I retired recently after spending 40 years in the IT industry and now have lots of time to spend painting.

I work in Oils, using strong colour and love to paint landscapes and still life.  Recently I have been painting landscapes local to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and these have proved to be very popular. I also produce cards and prints and undertake commissions.

I have exhibited with the Forecourt artists and also with North East Open Studios.

My web address is www.alicestuart.co.uk

My family returned to Aberdeen where I lived on a farm.

This inspired my painting which I have since enjoyed.

I lead a busy life with my dogs and my five grandchildren and I also play bridge.

I have done oil painting but my favourite medium is watercolour.

Photo of Les Andrew

My favourite subjects are: snow scenes; buildings – especially old ones such as barns; street scenes; and maritime seascapes and boats.

I was born in the fishing village of Whitehills by Banff on the very edge of the sea.

I have exhibited at Portsoy, Banff, Banchory, Stonehaven, Inverbervie, Friockheim, New Pitsligo, Cornhill Hospital, Northern Arts and had a one man exhibition at Aboyne.

She has been a member of the Forecourt Art Group for the last 15 years.

She is an accomplished artist who paints in acrylics and oil / mixed media and draws with soft pastels.

She has exhibited her art in Scotland primarily including at the prestigious McEwen Gallery, Ballater, Aberdeenshire and is regularly invited to exhibit in many and varied locations.

She has a very varied portfolio and is happy to undertake commissions.