I have always drawn since I could remember. I always got a rolled-up drawing pad and pencil in my Christmas stocking. I would draw on anything – old envelopes, bits of paper etc. At school I was told off for doodling throughout my jotter and exercise books. Also, I observed things and tried to work out how to draw them – from perspective of chairs to – very important – the space between the postman’s boot and the pavement when he bent his foot to walk. I realised the space between, told you how to do the actual subject. This was an enormous moment for me, age six. Things all fell into place then.
I did well at art at school, not so good on some other subjects and in late 1960s trained in Brighton to do art and art education. There was a link between the art school and the college of education. I wanted to paint, as had not really done much serious painting up to then. At the time the tutors thought me old-fashioned, but I did get to use oils for the first time. Then I had an interesting 4 years in graphics at a printing works in Brighton and sold work at a local gallery in ink and wash of the chalky Downs.
This brings me to the artistic shock of coming to Ayrshire. The rich dark soil and green of the fields. It meant a complete change of palette. This was in 1976, and over the years since, my style, I would think, has ‘grown up.’ Mossy walls and small woodlands, the small roads that wind through Ayrshire’s countryside and a winter sea – these attract me to paint, but more recently still life’s from my garden, and my latest paintings becoming more allegorical and ecologically aware. And I am finally enjoying painting in oils. I also ran art classes just about everywhere in Ayrshire for 20 years. Including going to Arran every Friday for 15 years. How lucky I have been,
I was asked to illustrate the Culzean Way by Bill McKinlay from South Ayrshire Paths Initiative. I could work out from the brief that it needed to be not only an attractive painting rather than a computer graphic, but also look good very small and very big; be informative and give a sense of place and include the people using the Culzean Way. It therefore needed to inspire! But who could not be inspired by such a cycle way – it will be spectacular. Such an asset to Ayrshire. I am very pleased to see the painting working in so many ways and giving pleasure.
Each of the big towns of Ayrshire have an artistic core to explore, The Maclaurin Galleries always has an interesting exhibition to view.
Also worth visiting is Rozelle Park where you will be charmed and delighted taking the ‘Story Stroll,’ showing the woven willow structures depicting Scottish based children’s story book heroes by Girvan artist, David Powell. Story Stroll At Rozelle Park | Destination South Ayrshire
There are private galleries too, showing local work and locally the art clubs hold exhibitions. But also explore a subject in the area. If you take a sketch book and pencils and aim to draw castles within your cycling/walking radius. Or investigate the rivers of Ayrshire and their bridges. There are so many topics to take you all over the county.
The Alloway Railway Tunnel is an important gateway to the Culzean Way. The mural will provide the cyclists and walkers with colour and drama to begin the route. There is something magical, too, about entering a tunnel and knowing you are on route to a spectacular cycle way.
You can view some of Felicity’s work at the following galleries. Each work is a unique piece of art as she does not do prints.
The Framework Gallery in Troon: The Framework Gallery | Picture Framer and Gallery in Ayrshire (frameworktroon.co.uk)
McGill Duncan Gallery in Castle Douglas: McGill Duncan Gallery | Art Gallery | Dumfries & Galloway
