My next exhibition, ‘Ghosts’ opens soon at the Kilmorack Gallery, near Beauly, Inverness-shire. This beautiful gallery in a converted church is the perfect setting for a gathering of eleven new charcoal works.
‘Ghosts’ features dynamic, sculptural drawings inspired by the figure and the tree, reflecting my fascination with the human/arboreal relationship. They capture the way light catches a tree’s trunk to reveal the intricacies of its scarred surface in relief. Subtle layered marks and shifts of tone suggest corporeal forms emerging from the velvety blackness of charcoal.
It’s the way I get to know a tree, through a drawing made with it. It feels more like conversation than observation, and the memory of these intense moments stays with me.
I’m often asked if I use photographs as reference – the answer is both yes and no…
This time last year, I talked to my pal and collaborator Steve Smart about making another film together. Over the last couple of years we’ve worked on ‘Foraging’ about the way I find the trees which inspire my work and ‘Connecting’, which show how I get to know their individual characters through drawing. He created two beautiful short films which you can see here.
Steve’s new vision was to capture elements of my work as a film poem,
Anne Gilchrist, Kirsty Venters Marks, Tansy Lee Moir, Jennie Tuffs and Cordula Marks Venters have spent the last four seasons discovering some of the stories and secrets of West Lothian’s foremost ancient woodland, Calder Wood.
They have interpreted what they found in the wood from their own individual perspectives, exploring it from their differing cultural and historic viewpoints and considered the perspectives of the non-human world and how these ancient, complex relationships can be read in the landscape.
‘Birken’ Charcoal on panel 30 x 30cm Tansy Lee Moir
‘These works help us to look beneath the surface of what we see to understand the layers of human and non-human relationships more deeply.’
Catalogues for sale from the Visitor Centre £8.
Supported by Jane Begg, Tree and Woodland Officer and Kirsty Morrison, Country Park Ranger, West Lothian Council.
Calder Wood Artists Walk
Sunday 14th January 2024 10.30-1pm
Join some of the Calder Wood artists and Ranger Kirsty Morrison on this gentle walk around West Lothian’s foremost ancient woodland. Hear about how it inspired their new work, see some of the special places they found there and stop to share poems, stories and memories along the way.
Meet outside the Fork & Field pub Mid Calder from 10.15am (what3words ///knees.bounding.older)
Outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear recommended. Paths are uneven, steep in parts and may be muddy. Bring a flask if you wish for refreshments. Please note there are no toilet facilities in Calder Wood.
In the case of bad weather, the walk will be rescheduled to Saturday 20th January.
Imagine a dark December afternoon, cold enough to keep your hat on in the car.
Driving north, snow shines on the fields and hills beside the road. You’re glad to have your thermals and a bottle of whisky packed in the back, tucked alongside your sketchbooks and drawing kit.
The sun has long since disappeared when you turn into the long approach to the castle and stars are beginning to emerge from behind icy clouds. The impressive silhouette of Drum Castle comes into view as you move slowly through the arboretum giants. Small windows in one corner of the castle glow warmly – you’ve arrived.
A creative break
At this time of year I find the creative energy ebbs away a little and I need some reflective time away from the studio. This year I chose to properly get away
‘Reunion I, II, III’ Charcoal on panel, 110 x 210cm Photo by Steve Smart
Thinking about ‘Reunion’
I generally prefer to leave room for other people to make their own interpretations of my work but thought that, since ‘Reunion’ won’t be on public display for a little while, I would share some images and try to articulate what it might mean to me.
For this collection of new work the artists have interpreted what they found in the wood from their own individual perspectives, exploring it from their differing cultural and historic viewpoints. The works here also consider the perspectives of the non-human world and how these ancient, complex relationships can be read in the landscape.
‘These works help us to look beneath the surface of what we see to understand the layers of human and non-human relationships more deeply.’
‘Birken’ Charcoal on panel
The show encompasses vibrant colour, intricate detail, poetic imagination and dark drama. It aims to reveal some of the tiny marvels and big mysteries to be found amongst these trees.
There will be an Artist Talk with all artists on Thursday 23rd November, 6.30-8pm. Free, book here»
I will be in the gallery for informal ‘meet the artist’ opportunities on Saturday 11th November 10am-12noon and with Kirsty and Cordula on Sunday 10th December 12-2pm.
We are also planning a woodland walk – join my Studio News for details.
Visitor information
Linlithgow Burgh Halls are fully accessible and open to the public every day 9am-5pm.
The exhibition is free to visit and the Halls are a 5 minute walk from Linlithgow train station on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line.
Imagine driving three hours through the rain to an old limewashed church in a quiet Highland glen, then stopping to find a giant spider guarding the entrance to an art gallery filled with creatures conjured from scrap metal parts. Then, just as you duck under the arachnid and approach the doorway, picture yourself being baptised in a drive-by puddle incident. True story.
This was my first, slightly surreal experience of Kilmorack Gallery near Beauly. It’s a beautiful building with a reputation for excellent art and I’m delighted to be one of its newest artists.
I’m very pleased that my charcoal drawing ‘Cascade’ was selected for the Drawing (Paper) Show at Bridewell Studios in Liverpool this summer. It was chosen from an international open call to be included in this exhibition and publication of contemporary drawings.
The Derbyshire stone walls of The Old Lock Up Gallery are now hung with beautiful art celebrating trees and our relationships with them. Gallerist Rachael Pinks has taken a bold step in a new direction for her gallery, curating this themed exhibition through an open call to draw in new creative talent. I’m very happy to have been one of the 32 artists selected.
‘Turning towards the light’ oil on wooden panel
I have 5 works on show, 4 paintings from my ‘Grounded’ series and one of my ‘Rivers of Oak’ charcoals.
The gallery is open 25th June – 5th August, open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 5pm and there are a series of related events planned -check the website or Instagram for details.
I recently did a short residency in this lovely gallery space which you can see more about here.
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