Local artists open their doors to the public during Open Studios
A SERIES of local artists, photographers and craftspeople from the Fraserburgh and surrounding area will be taking part in the 7th North-east Open Studios event which runs from September 11-19.
The event, offers the general public the opportunity to see, and in some cases purchase the work of locally-based artists at their studio or one of a fellow artist.
A free booklet featuring details about each of the participating artists and example of their work are widely available throughout the area.
The North-east Open Studios event covers the whole of the North-east area including Johnshaven, Aboyne, Turriff, Inverurie, Kemnay, Boyndlie, Fraserburgh, Pitullie, Alford and Aberlour to name just a few.
Locally, there are a wide diversity of local talent showing off their work in the areas including some well known local full-time artists while others are keen amateurs.
Pitullie-based artist, Isobel Gregory will be showing off her own work and hosting a number of her fellow artists and crafters during the week at her studio at 27 Pitullie.
Isobel told 'The Herald': "I will be showcasing jewellery, driftwood and paintings. This year I have produced on show, over 40 prints of paintings of Pitullie and Sandhaven done over the last eight years.
"My craft based work is influenced by the seashore where I live. Crafts include recycled driftwood, rag rugs, stone painting and found objects. My paintings are varied and in several mediums."
"I will be giving a percentage of my personal sales to a college friend of my daughter Susan whom she met while they were both studying engineering in Oregon State University in 1984. Lounes lives in Algeria and became paralysed due to an accident and has been locked in his body for three years with only movement in his eyes. My daughter has started a fund to finance a machine and computer which Lounes will be able to operate with his eyes," she said.
Isobel will also be host Becky Chamberlain from Stuartfield who will have a display of hand poured wax Victorian dolls.
"All my dolls are handmade large ones are my own sculptures from which I make a mould and follow in the tradition of the Victorian wax doll."
She explained that small dolls are dipped wax over a technique also wildly used in Victorian times. Becky then dresses and finishes all the dolls myself."
Also at Isobel's studio will be Valerie Duthie from Rosehearty show will be showing off her portraiture: "I took up painting as a hobby when I retired last year and particularly enjoy portraiture. I am still experimenting with pastels, oils as well as watercolour," said Valerie.
Meanwhile Dorothy Duncan, also from Rosehearty will be showcasing her quilt making.
Dorothy said: "I started about 4 years ago this is the first quilt I made. (Don't be too critical of the stitching, I have improved) Intended for my daughter's 16th birthday, she received it for her 17th.
"Only a year late. I used scraps of my Son's old shirts and from my daughter's wardrobe, treasured childhood dresses for the material. A lovely way to keep the memories alive.
"It is a Kaffe Fassett design, and quite simple for a beginer. I love the colours, reminiscent of the sky and the sea, and think this will suit Isobel's lovely Studio."
Heather Ritchie from Fraserburgh will be showing off some of her imaginative art, Helen MacDonald from Stuartfield, her felting and straw work and Ethel West from Fraserburgh, her Wildlife pastels.
Pitullie-based photographer, Paul Woodburn runs Eastlight Photography: "My interest in photography goes back to my early teens in Yorkshire where I enjoyed taking mostly black and white photographs of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District. After pursuing a career in music, photography was rekindled when I changed career to a lighting product designer and found the need for a photographer who understood lighting products.
"For many years we spent our holidays in Scotland touring and photographing this very special and beautiful country. As I am sure you will agree what makes a good photograph is light and when the light in Scotland is at its best it cannot be beaten.
"In 2007 we moved to the North East of Scotland to a small hamlet called Pitullie in Aberdeenshire, this gives us an ideal base for travelling around the East Coast, over to the West Coast and the Central Glens as well as the Grampians and the Cairngorms."
Genius Designing, The Steading, Marchlands, Boyndlie, mainly concentrate on individual items trying to capture the timbers own personality.
John Crook said: "We like to take our time when making each piece of furniture‚ thus giving the timber the dignity it deserves. Where possible‚ we only use locally sourced materials for our furniture. Our customers are in control of the process‚ from the original design to the finishes used."
Crafty Lights is the new exhibition at The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. It includes over one hundred images of the major Scottish lighthouses depicted in different mediums.
The exhibition is part of North East Open Studios which encourages artists from across the North East to show their work to the public. The Museum's exhibition includes the work of professional artists, local people, community groups and school children.
"It's a great showcase for the creativity of people in this area." Said Director Virginia Mayes-Wright "We have a huge variety of work include a lighthouse made out of felt, and one made from laminated paper."
The exhibition will run from 8th to 28th September and then re-open after the Shell Science Day on 5th October.
A love of the farm life and the countryside inspires local artist Eileen Maitland, of Rural Frames Gallery and workshop
Eileen said: "Living on a farm provides me with great raw material, sheep cattle, pigs etc. I work mainly in watercolour, pastel and occasionally oil.
Eileen also offers a framing service with a wide selection of mouldings to choose from.
Exhibiting this year with Eileen is Graham Stephen, who produces some beautiful work in watercolour and acrylic of seascapes, landscapes and flowers.
Also on display at Rural Frames is a lovely selection of decorated horseshoes by Eileen's daughter Adeline MacDonald. These beautiful real horseshoes for any occasion, anniversary, wedding new baby new home etc.
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Weather for Fraserburgh
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 11 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
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