Happy New Year!
Orkney is covered in snow at the moment and is looking wonderful. The usual vibrant colours have turned monochrome with small hints of blue sky appearing now and again to show the islands at their best. This is what I so love about Orkney, each season shows it off in a new way, makes you move around it differently.
My return to the studio has been a little slow as I’ve been helping my husband out at work – with amber weather warnings in place in the north essential and careful travel is advised. We live in Kirkwall and the store is in Stromness. Instead of getting my painting clothes on, store man clothes have been worn to offer an extra pair of hands.
Although the roads have been tricky to drive, as a passenger I was able to admire the view on the journeys. We spotted a Hare jumping over a wall and hopping through the field, looking like to was having the time of its life, a heron flew over, probably heading to the shore to find some food and when we came into Stromness the Hoy Hills looked spectacular, covered in white highlighting their curves. Best of all has been seeing all the kids off school, enjoy themselves on their sledges, rosy cheeks and smiling.
Today the studio clothes are on and work is about to start. First, I wanted to share information about current and upcoming exhibitions, apologies if you’ve received this information more than once.
The Northern Isles at the Scottish Gallery, Dundas Street, Edinburgh opens this Saturday (10th January) from 11am – 1pm. Unfortunately, due to the uncertainty of the weather, it will be unlikely that I will be in attendance. There will be other exhibiting artists present so please feel free to pop along and visit. For all information about The Northern Isles and to view online, please see here.
image below: Anne Bevan, Light Erratic I, 2025
Nature Turns at the Royal Scottish Academy will be on display until 18th January 2026. Bringing together works by 30 invited artists in painting, print, drawing, photography and sculpture, Nature turns explores calm and solace in the natural world through winter scenes and subjects.
To find out more and view online, see here
Solo at the Scottish Gallery in March 2026 – more information will be released soon.
I will be travelling to Edinburgh and plan to stay in the city for a few weeks during the exhibition. For friends and those not met, it would be lovey to say ‘Hi’. I will keep you up to date with plans and looking forward to showing you the new collection.
Hope those who are surrounded by snow are keeping cosy and have all you need. Thanks as always for reading and keeping in touch.
Laura Drever 