Here are some of the highlights…
My 40’s started with news that I had been awarded funding from Creative Scotland Open Fund, for a Research and Development project – Exploring the Orkney Landscape. Part of the application was to solidify my walking routine, find un-walked (by me) places, in Orkney, and new ways of looking and responding the landscape. A time to be creative.
It allowed dedicated time to bring together a new collection of work for exhibiting at The Pier Arts Centre in Summer 2022 – my first major Solo. The Collection of work became Teebro – activity surrounding the project included workshops, talks, Essays, previews, reviews, studio visits, meeting lots of interesting people and sharing artwork in real life for the first time in a good couple of years.
Final reports have been returned to Creative Scotland – however Research and Development doesn’t stop, not sure it ever will. On reflection this is one of the best outcomes of opportunities like this. It acts as a springboard to the next thing, helps to consolidate ideas and direction.
What a gift!
During Teebro, I was invited to exhibit in Northern Isles exhibition at The Scottish Gallery. Showing now, until Saturday the 26th November 2022. A selection of artworks by artists past and present who share a similar love of the Northern Isles – it’s land, sea and sky, light, history.
In the Exhibition Publication, Christine De Luca writes:
Outstretched below
the isles of Orkney lie:
skins of ancient monsters
patterned wildly.
Long sinuous members, golden fringed
More recently, Duncan McLean from Ola Gore Jewellery has written a wonderful piece about what I’ve been up to this year.
“Her works – whether drawing, print or oil painting – are immediately recognisable as capturing something essentially Orcadian“
That takes us to today. The day I am no longer 40!
The Pier Arts Centre Annual Open will open to the public on the 26th November. A fantastic showcase of Orkney art, always something for everyone and great to be part of a community exhibition. You will be able to view Roseness – painted after spending time walking, swimming and sketching this lovely part of Orkney’s east coast.
An important part of my practice is to be part of the community and give something back. This includes volunteering for local art organisations and donating artwork for causes that are dear to me – Motor Neurone Disease (MND), The Ukrainian Appeal and currently Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Cancer.
If you’d like to be in with a chance to win an original commissioned artwork by me (along with lots of other fabulous prizes) and contribute to raising funds for The Peedie Retreat, now is your chance to buy a ticket.
The Peedie Retreat will be an accessible house at Inganess Beach and will provide a place where people living with Cancer and MS can enjoy a break away from their worries and challenges of their medical condition. A place of rest and recuperation, to connect with nature, a space to find new perspectives, inspiration, hope and a peedie bit of happiness.
If you’d like to find out more head over to their Facebook page or get in touch and I’ll share info of how to purchase a ticket.
Next year is already full of commissions and new projects. I’ll be continuing to walk, explore, draw, paint and spend time at Soulisquoy Printmaking Studio.
Thank you for being part of it all.
Laura Drever 