13-15 August 2011: Argyll ArtMap

This weekend was the Argyll Artmap when lots of artists across Argyll open their studios for us to see their work in situ. What a mix of work in oils, watercolours, pencil, pastels and mixed-media colours textures light…
On Sunday as D and I made our way up to Kinlochleven and The Fort, we saw two Oban based artists (Lizzie Rose and Fiona MacRae) and then two in Port Appin , Alex and Midge Gourlay, a fascinating couple, with Midge specialising in textiles. Her paper mache shoes looked as if from a fairytale.
M, D and I went down to Tayvalich on Moday and blitzed several artists in the area – Alexander Hamilton –some humorous pieces as well as ‘darker’ pieces. And Libby Anderson, Jane Smith (a wildlife artist exhibiting in a caravan and awning) and Susan Berry - a watercolorist whose studio looked over the sound of Jura.
My favourite had to be the only photographic exhibits – a project for Lochgilphead School students which took them out into the Taynish National Nature Reserve. The exhibition was at the Piggery – so remote that it was too far for D and M to walk to.
The Piggery was a fascinating bit of architecture in its own right from about 1800. It was 5 star accomodation for the pigs. In a semi circle yard, divided into pens
with roofed sleeping quarters at the back through arched doorways. Running through the middle is a wee burn which also run through the farm kitchen. The waste from the kitchen was thrown into the burn and arrived by water for the pigs.