Buying Art: What Scottish Painting Should You Buy?

Short answer: MINE!

I recently had a request from a client who looked for advice on where to look when buying more paintings. Despite this sounding a little like walking into Tesco and asking to point you in the direction of a good supermarket, I didn't take it the wrong way! The customer was in the process of commissioning a painting from me, and any collection needs a bit of diversity, so I took it as the compliment it was intended! Thought I would publish my response on this blog in case it may help anyone else out there!

(I did list some names of artists to avoid, but thought it might be best to omit them from this blog!)

It may be a matter of personal preference, but I can give you an idea of some of the Scottish artists out there I respect and who's work I admire:

Christopher Wood

If I was to hang 1 abstract work in my house, I'd like it to be 1 from him. Great use of colour, some unusual processes. His work is great if you can afford it! (2-2.5 x price of my work). His website is excellent and regularly updated:

http://www.christopherwood.co.uk/home.html

Craig Peacock

I teach alongside Craig at Reid Kerr College Creative Arts. He has a "Wasps" artist's studio in Hanson St, Glasgow. I regularly poke fun at him for not having his own website! but you will find him on the web in various other sites. The best representation of his current work would be:

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile//11624.html

Rowena Comrie

Just been shortlisted last week for the Aspect Prize and looks likely (in my opinion) to end up winning. A mixed bag of work, some I'm not keen on, some is really striking. http://www.axisweb.org/seCVWK.aspx?ARTISTID=5243

Jim Wylie

I've always admired his clean, bold brushwork and use of colour. Based in Ayrshire, he paints mostly Scottish Landscape. Lots of his work around the web and is reasonably priced.

Peter Howson

I've always admired his work since I went to a solo exhibition in the McLennan Gallery, Glasgow when I was 15 years old. It was then I told my mum "this is what I want to do".

His figurative depictions of various grotesque characters may be a little too much for some to live with, but I really enjoy his work. Despite working in such a wildly different genre of painting, Howson remains a big influence for me.

ONES TO AVOID!

As a rule, if you're not sure who is a real prospect, make sure the artist has a degree from an Art School. There are some good self taught artists out there but they are few and far between and stand a much poorer chance of being recognised or "making it". Also do a check on what galleries they show with. I show with scotlandart.com on Bath Street and DiRollo Gallery, Dundas St, Edinburgh which are both galleries who would not hang any substandard work. Some galleries are run by owners with no clue about art or any taste... check how long the gallery has been established, these galleries don't last long!

The Glasgow Art Fair, George Square (think it will be SECC next year)

You must get down to see the Art Fair. It gives a great selection and overview of Scottish Art from Commercial Galleries. It brings Galleries from all over Scotland and beyond under one roof. Galleries need to qualify for entry by submitting which artists' work they are hanging and so the vast majority is of a good quality... some do inevitably slip the net!

Hope this is of some use to you. Good luck hunting for paintings, the most important judge of artwork you own, is you! Number 1 reason to buy is to bring you daily pleasure admiring it. Instant appeal isn't always the best sign to buy, artwork, like music can be a "grower".

All the best, back to the painting!

INTERVIEW WITH THE ARTIST

Did this Interview after winning a challenge in a Scottish based RedBubble Group.

1. Firstly, tell us more about your winning image and why it was this one that inspired you to enter it for the challenge?
The winning Image is a 40×40 cm painting of Sanna Bay, Ardnamurchan. Looking North out to the isles of Rum, Eigg and Muck (just below Rum). The Challenge was titled “A perfect green and blue Scottish summer”. While most would be thinking grass/trees/vegetation for green, I was thinking of the greens and Blues of the turquoise waters around the West coast. On a perfect summer day the sun really lights up the white sand and contrasts the black rock, both setting off the magnificent colours of the water.

2. Everyone can see your RB profile, but tell us a bit more about Scott Naismith and his art?
In the nine years I have been a full time artist my style has evolved year on year. More recently my work has taken on more abstract qualities, as I have started to make my work more about the processes/application/colour statements etc and less about the places themselves.

3. How did you start your artistic journey and what inspires to continue?
My artistic journey began when old enough to hold a crayon. All through School I was encouraged by the response I got from others which encouraged me to go to art school in Dundee. After this, all the encouragement and acknowledgement received was now in the form of people spending their hard earned money to own one of my paintings, which is the biggest reward as an artist. Without buyers appreciating what I do, I could not continue doing what I love full time.

4. What do you think is your greatest accomplishment as an artist to date?
My greatest accomplishment to date may have been my representation at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI) in the Mall Galleries, London last year. The accomplishment which may have been the most significant in moulding my career would be getting a solo exhibition at Ian Kenny Gallery the year I left Duncan of Jordanstone School of art. Another great achievement was the purchase and displaying of 72 original paintings at the Aviemore Highland Resort and Conference Centre.

5. Tell us a bit more about the aspirations and goals for you in the future as an artist?
My daily goal is to make each painting I paint better than the last one, if I can achieve this, all other goals (which frighten me to think about aiming for) will be achievable.

6. As this is group has a wee bit of the Scots about it, what single-most thing do you think of when asked about “Scotland”?
For me it’s the changing Scottish weather and light qualities that it makes possible. I have a great interest in painting skies and, more specifically, transitional skies. As a colourist, how the light changes to expose different colours in the landscape and sky is all important for me. I get so inspired when travelling to the Islands on Calmac ferries. It can be a bit wild out on the deck at times, but that’s where I’ll be the entire six hour to Barra. The changing sky can be seen in all its glory and in all directions from here. The camera can record some of it, but much of my work is done by memory.

7. If there was only one choice of location in Scotland where you could go and visit to capture images or paint a scene, where would this be and why?
If I could pick a whole Island, it would be Skye, its diverse landscape inspires me in new ways every time I return. If it was only one specific location, it would be Arisaig where you get the most spectacular views out to Rum and Eigg from its sandy beaches.

8. Lastly, as this is your time in the “The Scots Are Coming” spotlight, is there any messages (inspirational, gratitude or otherwise) that you would like to share with the group?
I’d just like to say how much I enjoy being part of the RedBubble community. It can be an isolating job at times, painting from my studio at the house. As an artist you don’t really mix with other fellow professionals much and it’s good to be part of something that brings us creative people together in some way. I’m now looking forward to my virtual solo exhibition on the “solo exhibition” group which has a preview on Monday 9th November where you can chat to people who come and see your work in the forum

Studio Photos

Here's some of the photos taken to promote my online virtual solo exhibition on redbubble.com on the 9th November

2009 Solo Exhibition of new Scottish contemporary Landscape Paintings

Showing for the 9th time at Ian Kenny Gallery, Scott Naismith will show a selection of work inspired by some recent trips to Barra, Skye, and Tiree. Since last year, Scott’s work has been represented at the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (ROI). In March a selection of 16 paintings were sold out at his first representation at the Glasgow Art Fair in George Square.

Further Info at

http://www.scottnaismith.co.uk/

http://www.iankenny.com/

Here's the Catalogue:

New Gallery in Morningside, Edinburgh

Life on Canvas Gallery is a brand new contemporary art gallery at 133 Comiston Road Edinburgh. They will be showing a selection of my new Scottish Landscape paintings at their Launch on the 28th August 2009.
Other artists soon to be showing include Blair Thomson, Davy Brown, Steve Johnston, Mark Holden, Karen Willis, Kirstie Cohen, Jemma Derbyshire, Alfred Allan, Lillias Blackie, Elena Kourenkova, Lynsey Ewan, Lesly Banks, Pat Kramek....