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A bumper exhibition was rewarded with bumper crowds for a local art group.
Cullen Art Group’s annual show boasted over 150 framed pieces, up significantly from 132 the previous year.
The opening night on August 2 saw the local community centre hall packed to the gunwales with people keen to come along and admire the wide range of style, themes and media on display. The crowds kept coming over the course of the next two days to make for what has been hailed as one of the best Cullen Art Group exhibitions ever.
A stunning range of work was on display, many drawing inspiration from the local area and across the Moray Firth. The natural world also was a powerful muse to many.
The exhibition also featured a textile piece as well as a view of Cullen with a difference. In the latter work, an aerial photo of the town, kindly donated by Charles Lovelace, was enlarged and divided into a grid, with group member taking one of two of these. On an oblong piece of card or paper, each member painted what was on their section of the photo, the result being a stunning montage.
For the group’s new chairperson Sue Thornton, the event represented the first show under her watch.
She said: “The exhibition went really well, it was very well attended.
“The opening night on Friday was a bit of a squeeze but it was steady over the next two days.
“Last year we experimented with adding a third day but we didn’t really feel it it was much of an advantage so went back to the two-day format this year. I’d say our numbers were at least the same as last year, maybe a bit better. As I said, the opening night was really busy although I’ve no idea why.
“The feedback we’ve had so far has been very good; people are saying we had a good selection and variety of paintings, that they were hung well and that the prices were competitive and affordable. Generally, the comments have been very, very nice.”
A total of 44 framed works were sold, with 38 mounted pieces from the browsers and 216 cards also purchased.
The exhibition was opened by Ms Thornton, who paid tribute to a group that was “kind, welcoming and very talented”. She then turned the proceedings over to local artist Rob Greenwood to share a few thoughts.
Reflecting on where he gets his inspiration from, Mr Greenwood spoke about the warmth of the local community as a major factor, helping make his paintings “colourful, fun and full of love”.
A blank piece of paper, such as the one he was holding during his address, was something he said was the most exciting thing for him as an artist.
Mr Greenwood continued: “As an artist it means endless opportunities, infinite ideas that could be put onto this depending on the artist, the pencil, the paint
“It could be a design for a car, perhaps, or a design for a sculpture and it starts usually with a blank piece of paper.
“As an artist, as you know, sitting down in front of a blank piece of paper, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re just going to come up with that idea, you’re going to have to come up with that inspiration from round and about.
“The other thing I love about my piece of paper is that it does eventually become a beautiful piece of art and to me finding a beautiful piece of art is like finding a beautiful piece of treasure. Similarly, when someone buys a piece of my artwork they take it away and make it part of their lives and treasure forever – it’s just magical.”
Saluting all at the art group and those who had come along to the exhibition, he concluded: “Here’s to the artists who work the magic to turn pieces of paper and the canvases into treasure, and here’s to the treasure hunters.”
Visitors to the exhibition were asked to vote for their favourite piece of work. The final results were: 1. Jungle King by Del Sayers; 2. Slice of Lemon by Del Sayers; Tied 3.
The Great Escape by Lyn MacDonald; Up to the Net Loft Portsoy by Helen Gavin; Fordyce Castle by Tamsin Morrison; Hillside View by Rhona Lewis.
Cullen Art Group meet every Tuesday from 9am-12 noon in Cullen Community Centre. Keep up to date with group news by following their Facebook
