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.

Earlier this year the committee and members of Forecourt Art Group were elated when they found out that they’d secured partial funding from Aberdeen City Council to run an exhibition of works by their members and invited guests.

After some research they hit on using a vacant shopping unit in the Academy Shopping Centre as a city centre location for the show. After negotiations with Apardion Management Limited, who run the centre, their written booking was accepted. Apardion’s representative confirmed to the group in several telephone conversations that it had been granted the use of the unit for a week in November.

Ian Watt, President of Forecourt said, “The members were excited. 31 of them signed up to take part – which is the most anyone can remember exhibiting at a single show – and they were all busy painting new pictures, and preparing and framing their works to go on sale. We also had contacted potential guest artists – professionals who were keen to support the group and show their works with us. We anticipated there being over 200 works on display during the week.”

Then the group received the devastating news that their booking was not to be honoured. Just five weeks before they were due to move in, Apardion contacted the club to say that landlords of the shopping centre had negotiated a five year lease on three units in the centre and that short term leases, even those previously confirmed, were not to be honoured.

“This was a bombshell. Not only did we outlay money for insurance (which Academy insisted be in place before we submitted the booking form) but we spent hundreds of pounds on refurbishing our exhibition stands” said Ian Watt. “We feel let down by The Academy’s actions. Morally, this was a terrible way to act. We’ve invoiced them for our outlays – and if they don’t pay up we may have to take legal action. Meantime we also have to move and on look for an alternative exhibition space.”

Now the group are left looking again for a premises in which to exhibit. While they’d like that to happen this year, they accept that it may be the spring before they can mount a new show. By that point they’ll have missed the Christmas market that they were targeting with their exhibition.

Can you help? Do you know of a high street shop unit that the club could use? If so please contact Forecourt Art Group via their website: http://www.forecourt.org.uk/contact

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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Map

The Forecourt Art Group is a not for profit organisation which organises exhibitions throughout the year for artists living and working in the North East of Scotland.

The Exhibition will showcase original works by a wide variety of artists, including  new members who have not exhibited with is at Peterculter before.

All artwork is available for sale and to take away at the time of purchase. Artists replace sold works on a daily basis, so the exhibition always provides new work throughout the month.

Framed Originals, Unframed Originals, Prints and Art Cards will all be available at a range of prices to suit every pocket..

Here are some suggested books and DVDs to help you with your painting study at home.

Art on the Green

‘Meet On the Green’

A Participatory Public Art Project

Exhibition Event Sunday 3rd April 2011 from 5-7pm

The Green, Aberdeen

‘Meet on the Green’ is a participatory public art project supported by Aberdeen City Council’s Arts Development team. The project focuses on the impact art in all its many forms can have for a community and the city as whole, breaking down barriers for long term engagement, participation and retention of creativity within the city.

Artist Amy Marletta has been working in and around the Green for the last few months attempting to gather stories and meet people who have a connection to the place. The aim has been to create an artwork that is a response to the environment and community, working with local people to build up a picture of the area, both past and present.

By allowing chance encounters to lead the way, the project has been shaped by those who have contributed. The outcome takes the form of a series of portraits and as song lyrics woven together from stories told and overheard.

Sixteen local artists have taken part in the project by creating portraits of local people, who live, work or socialise in the area. The portraits will be exhibited throughout venues on the Green in April, with the opening event taking place on Sunday 3rd April, 5-7pm at Café 52. The exhibition will continue on that evening at other venues in the area including the Carmelite Hotel and E.A.R.L.

These portraits have also been reproduced as a set of postcards that will be distributed around various venues on the Green and can be collected for free. The song, which has been recorded by local singers, will also be available to listen to and will be produced as a CD.

In addition to this, artist Chris Biddlecombe will also launch a limited edition beermat art work on the night, that links items lost and found on The Green over a period of 500 years.

(Details of all participating venues will be provided on the night!)

For more information please email – art.eastgreen@gmail.com

http//:artonthegreen.blogspot.com