Laura Drever

Over half way through November already. The darker days have arrived and today it feels colder than it has for some time, a few snowflakes falling so could be in for a chilly few days. The heater is on full tilt to help keep warm in the studio, while artwork is packaged ready for the first part of the journey.

The last 18 months have been very busy – the new collection started while finishing off another for exhibiting. Limro exceeded my expectations, Browns Gallery gave the work the space that the studio doesn’t have and allowed me to see the artwork through fresh eyes. Last year there was a slight panic that there was just too much to do. My commission book closed and I had to sadly turn down some opportunities in order to focus on already agreed commitments. This is not a negative, it is an understanding of myself and the work. Understanding that although painting is a huge priority, other parts of my life are just as important and a balance to support both is really important.

Walking has been a big part of this year – taking breaks from painting in the studio to revisit walks, soaking in Orkney’s fresh air, enjoying the seasons and taking time to look again a little harder to appreciate our landscape. For me there are always changes to be seen, often subtle or momentary. The kind that makes you stop in your tracks and just be still for a moment.

Orkney will always be what I paint, continually trying to develop a language using colour, shape, mark making and texture that reflects what is experienced.

A recurring dream I have about being back at art school has been making an appearance – it’s a great dream as all my arty friends are there being creative, supporting each other. The nervousness of Degree Show (from well over 20 years ago) is a feeling that won’t be forgotten and is a real feature of the dream. The unknown of what is next, putting your work out to the world and asking folk to spend a little time. No need to research the meaning of this dream though, as it always comes when there is a deadline – it will be the time when this is not dreamt that there will be some thinking to do!

Funnily enough it has not been the painting that has kept me dreaming this dream, it is the other stuff that goes along with being an artist – the documenting, gathering details, thinking about what I have to say about the artwork and my practice, the framing, the travel of the work, the title(s) – the list goes on. Thankfully, with the support and guidance of others, all has come together, to this point, smoothly. Rebecca Marr and Mark Jenkins from Kolekto spent a couple of days carefully and beautifully documenting each painting, McAdie and Reeve have picked up the parcels and were meticulous in loading them onto the lorry from the studio and John from Frameworks has been really helpful from afar.

Today I am sitting in the studio, the day before my 44th birthday, beside my heater with an empty studio, no brush marks to be seen. All paintings and drawings have all been signed, their full stops added, wrapped safely and picked up. I won’t see them until again until March 2026, until they are framed and on the Scottish Gallery walls being viewed by others. Bit idiotic but I feel emotional! It’s been so wonderfully busy – painting, walking and being an artist – while being a mum too.

Tomorrow I’m taking a day off with Keith and going to reflect a little bit more about all of this: Time, nature, creativity. Oh and think of the exhibition title.

Group exhibitions before the solo in March 2026 will include the paintings :

• Brae at the Annual Exhibition at The Pier Arts Centre in Orkney. Private view Friday 21st November, open to public on Saturday 22nd November, on until 24th December 2025

• Skrimings at Nature Turns at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Opens 6th December 2025 – 18th January 2026.

• Hesta and Smoogro at another group exhibition that will be announced shortly.

Finally, if you’d like to be added to my mailing list for the Scottish Gallery Exhibition, please let me know.