VACMA Award, Clashnettie Arts Centre

 *

I am very grateful to have been awarded a grant from VACMA (small professional advancement grants funded by Creative Scotland, part of the Scottish Government).

This will allow me to go to Clashnettie Arts Centre near Huntley, Aberdeenshire and take up a residency in July, producing a body of Scottish paintings for my portfolio.

I thank Alison for her encouraging Information Session, which persuaded me the Award was worth applying for.

*

Morocco: Sidi Ifni: 1. two paintings of the hills beyond

 *

Sidi Ifni: two paintings of the hills beyond 

Sidi Ifni, A road, oil on card, 27 x 24.5 cm, available

Sidi Ifni, View from a rise 24.5 x 20.7 cm, available

The town is every bit as lovely as I remember it: clean, quiet and friendly. 

The sea is very alive and is popular with surfers.

*

Morocco: Marrakesh: two pochades

 *

Marrakesh

Marrakesh, motorcyclist, residential buildings, 23.5 x 28.8 cm - available

Marrakesh, a gateway,  oil on card, 18.8 x 21 cm - available

Marrakesh seemed less seedy, more touristy, less sinister and less interesting than when I was there a decade ago.

I alternated between black and white and colour across the Winter trip.

*

Valencia, Plaça del Pintor Segrelles

*

Valencia, Plaça del Pintor Segrelles, oil on card, 22.4 x 20.6 cm - available

Today I think, how pleasant and activity this is, painting outside. It`s possible to forget this in ambition.

Some paintings are unsuccessful but most aren't. But they arent amazing either. Its good to have in mind a broad area of "good enough", even if defining that in specific terms is impossible.

*

Lichen, Countesswells Road, Mannofield, Aberdeen

 *

Lichen, Countesswells Road, Mannofield, Aberdeen

*

Tangier, James McBey

 *

Tangier

The sweep of buildings along the water is now more more less just a series of standard issue modern structures- it is saddening to see architectural banality take over a city.

 There are still more charming places in the Medina, however, including The American Legation, which contains a good number of artworks, including works by James McBey.

There are also a set of engravings.

*

Shrub, wall, pavement, Countesswells Road, Mannofield, Aberdeen

 *

Shrub, wall, pavement, Countesswells Road, Mannofield, Aberdeen

*