Laura Drever

My interest in Orkney’s Landscape has been my inspiration since I began to paint. Walking, exploring and discovering places of interest in the islands. The primary focus of my practice is the ever-changing character of Orkney’s unique natural environment, creating artworks through painting, drawing and printmaking that evoke a sense of time, place and movement.

I’ve been trying to find the words to let you know some good news…

In February 2022 I received news that I had been successful in my application to Creative Scotland, to receive funding through their Open Fund. For twenty years I have self-funded my practice so as you can imagine, I am over the moon! The award will allow me to further my research and development, to strengthen and extend my ideas, concepts and processes. It will give me time to take a considered view of my practice. Also, it will assist in the preparation of new artwork for an exhibition at the Pier Arts Centre in Summer 2022.

To receive such welcome news has been very encouraging and motivating. Perhaps a timely reminder that the emphasis I place on Orkney and the way in which I translate the landscape is valued and worth persuing. When working on my own for much of the time – maybe in isolation, maybe in peace – it is easy to become too familiar and relaxed. This award will allow me time to further explore the aspects of Orkney that I feel make it unique. I intend to increase my knowledge of other artists who have pulled on Orkney’s Landscape as a source of inspiration.

When reading about Wilhelmina Barnes-Graham’s exhibition, Discipline of the Mind , on the Pier Arts Centre Website, a quote highlighted from her diary in the 1908’s stood out. She wrote,

“So much work ideas here – drawings, colour, shapes, moods, space – elongated shapes – & then the light – & rock groupings – water movements – changes. It is overwhelming – choked with it all.”

As a visiting artist, it seems that WBG viewed the Orkney landscape in a similar way as many others. There is something special about our landscape that should be noticed and celebrated.

For me, after 20 years of focusing on Orkney as an inspirational landscape, there is so much that I can learn about place and what makes it so special. A space to consider my personal relationship with our natural heritage and contemplate wider concerns and issues that affect not just our local, relatively unspoilt environment but to place that in a wider context.

Ideas are here, the work has started and I am looking forward to having the time and space to bring it all together, ahead of the summer and going into the future.

I will keep you up to date with progress, walks I’ve been on, things I’m reading along with some of my thoughts. If interested, you can keep up on my social media streams as well as via my mailing list.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Creative Scotland – to receive funding from the public purse is something that I am extremely grateful for. I am certain that this support will allow for considerable developments encouraging more innovative, thoughtful and relevant work.

What an honour!