The Secrets of Scotland – Scottish Artist Ron Lawson
Is it Awfully Middle-Class to Have an Art Theme?
You are all nodding. This is a bad sign. It was not planned, but we seem to have a Scottish art theme in our living room (and now I angst about using living room or lounge, or sitting room. I should not have read the book about class distinctions in UK*).
The Scottish art theme is all down to our recent trip. Finding Scotland both picturesque and, in comparison to Switzerland, inexpensive for buying art, we brought home three different pieces. And that sounds even more middle-class poncy than ever. Pieces. Urgh.
Anyway, here is what we bought.
The first piece of artwork (above) that we purchased was a coincidence. When we visited the Westend Gallery on Perth Road, we both fell in love with the watercolours of Ron Lawson. Not normally a fan of watercolours which I find can be a bit insipid, I loved the blocks of colour that Ron uses, the dark grey skies, the white cottages. Not twee, not kitsch. It is interesting to see the development of the cottage idea on Ron’s myspace page – you can see that he started with a typical watercolour but moved on to the more striking painting techniques.
After we visited the north west of Scotland, I liked the painting even more as it now reminds me of the area around Badachro and Gairloch (which I will blog about in my Secrets of Scotland theme).
The next one is from the fabulously talented, and utterly delightful The Windmill Stump – you can find her blog here. It is a woodcut print of Portobello, Edinburgh. My husband and I walked along the promenade of Portobello this summer then sat on a bench opposite the Police Station, eating fish and chips and fantasising about opening a cafe in the vacant shop on the corner. It was to be called “Daphne’s” and would feature home-baking, quirky decoration and friendly staff.
The final new frame on our walls contains a photo taken near Applecross, which reminded us of the day we spent there. It is by a local photographer Vhairi Murray.
So there you have it. Three very different pieces of art work, all in the theme “Scotland”. And all that remind us of a special holiday in the homeland.
*The very excellent “Watching The English” in case you are interested.
13 Comments
GentleOtter
The Vhairi Murray photograph has moved me to tears.
If the theme means something to you then it transcends class.
Anonymous
It is lovely, isn’t it? Black and white scenery photos are always atmospheric and Scotland’s rugged beauty adds another dimension.
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Sam D
Arf at ‘pieces’. I lhave to say I love the art, themed or not.
My house has a theme. Clutter 😀
Anonymous
Yes, that “theme” sounds familiar…
Vhairi Murray
Hello, Love your blog! I dont think that the theme matters at all!! As long as you like my photographs 🙂
Anonymous
Thank you, and for allowing me to post your photo on my blog.
MsGenealogist
As the daughter of someone who makes a living painting Scotland, and lives in constant worry that people are buying fewer and fewer paintings, I am delighted that you have posted this. All three are lovely.
I don’t think you have to think of it as “our living room has a Scotland theme” (said in genteel voice to visitors). I mean, if you choose things on the basis of genuine love then sure, a theme is likely to emerge, but that’s not like choosing a theme in cold blood and then going out to find stuff that ^matches^. That way lies madness and twig/pebbly shit.
Anonymous
You know that I read that in a Miss Jean Brodie accent?
And I laughed at “twig/pebbly shit” – I left that kind of decor behind in my twenties, before we had kids. Better not tempt our son to draw on walls with pebbles.
Angela Pateman
Gorgeous selection of art. You are curating a theme MmeL ; )
mmelindor
Curating a theme sounds good. Will have to save up for one of your pieces.
Ross Samson
Is it awfully middle class that your Lawson art has doubled in value? Why didn’t I buy a piece when I first saw his work 3 years ago. Now I have to dig deeper in the pockets for the wife’s birthday present, which will hang in the Scottish themed front room: full of Scottish art and thistle wall paper and thistle carved into the oak fire surround. . . . more urgh.
Lynn C Schreiber
Ha. It is perhaps rather middle-class of me to be happy that we bought it when we did. I noticed recently that prices have risen dramatically. I do like the sound of thistles carved into the fire surround.